"Sailor Trek:  Voyager" By Bill Harris

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Sailor Trek: Voyager
By Bill Harris
Chapter 4 -- Voyager Strikes Back
PG13

    Mars tapped her foot impatiently and again glanced around the small (and somewhat crowded) room that served as Voyager's armory. Their journey here from Sickbay had been pleasantly uneventful, but they had been lingering here for almost two hours while they (or at least she) watched Harry and Seven of Nine finish the modifications to nearly a dozen phaser rifles. But it finally looked as if the end was in sight, for Harry had begun remodulating the last phaser they needed. Of course, it didn't help her temperament any that she was just about the only one without anything to do at the moment. Harry was still busy setting the last rifle to a frequency modulation that Mercury said would be most effective against denizens of the Negaverse, or those enhanced by the power of the Negaforce. For her part, Seven was still working on adding Borg technology to the prefire chambers, intensifying 
the beam output to make the weapon even deadlier. Or at least, that's what she thought Seven had said. The former drone had given a rather lengthy and highly technical explanation to what she was doing, but she didn't understand half of it.
    She wasn't sure that even Mercury understood it all.
    Speaking of Mercury, she and Jupiter formed the end of the assembly line. As each weapon was completed, Jupiter would test fire it at a standard phaser target while Mercury would scan the beam to measure it's estimated effectiveness.
    As for the others, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were talking in hushed tones at the far end of the room. From the glances they kept casting Seven's way, Mars could guess what the topic of discussion was. Venus was hovering nearby Harry, keeping a running conversation going with him. He didn't seem to mind talking with her, but Mars wasn't sure that he was aware that she was flirting with him.
    As for the Doctor... He had gone out soon after they arrived here, scouting out the nearby corridors for their opponents. That he had yet to return...
    A sudden, low knock on the door startled her, causing her and almost everyone else to jump and stare at the door. Imperturbable as ever, Seven calmly stood up and keyed the manual release, opening the door slightly. The gap was only a few centimeters but it was enough for the Doctor to squeeze his holographic form through. "Where have you been?!?" Mars hissed as Seven closed and secured the door.
    "Conducting reconnaissance, as I said I would do when I left." The hologram regarded her curiously. "Is there a problem?"
    "Yes! It shouldn't have taken you two hours to check out the area!"
    The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? I wasn't aware my performance was being timed." Mars glared at the hologram. "I suppose I could have completed my mission sooner if I hadn't been concerned with remaining undetected."
    "What did you find, Doctor?" Seven asked, preempting another outburst from Mars.
    "I checked this deck extensively in all directions, both corridors and Jeffries tubes. I found no sign of the intruders anywhere. It seems that they are consolidating their efforts on securing the bridge and engineering."
    "And on removing your crew," Mercury put in, checking her computer again. "I estimate that they'll be able to teleport some of them off in about forty minutes."
    "Then we have little time to waste," Seven stated. "Ensign Kim, how are you progressing?"
    Harry snapped the maintenance panel shut on the phaser rifle, and placed it down on the deck. "Just finished," he told her in a satisfied tone. "Eleven phaser rifles all remodulated."
    "Great. That just leaves the three Seven has to finish work on," Venus said.
    "Doctor, Ensign Kim. As you have the farthest to go, I suggest you take your teams and proceed to your destinations immediately," Seven said. "In the interim, I will finish work on the phaser units here and then proceed to engineering."
    "Who put you in charge?" Mars muttered.
    "Won't you need us to test the others?" Jupiter asked.
    "It would be prudent, but time is growing short." Seven looked to Mercury. "If memory serves, you haven't found any problems with the units modified so far."
    "Not yet," Mercury admitted. "But-"
    "Then any further objections would be irrelevant. I will simply use the same procedure as with the other rifles."
    There were several uncertain looks among Voyager's newfound allies. "I hate to admit it, but she does have a point about time getting short," Tuxedo Mask said.
    Sailor Moon took another look to each of her friends, each of them reluctantly nodding in agreement. "Okay, let's go."
    Being the nearest to the hatch, the Doctor opened the access to the Jeffries tubes. While he did that, the others picked up the phaser rifles they would transport to their assigned locations. "After you," he said to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.
    After the first group had entered, Harry moved to follow. As he entered, Mars heard him say something, but she couldn't make out the words. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you're worried we can't take the aliens?" she asked.
    Harry looked back at her and shook his head. "It's not that. I'm just wondering how Chakotay and the others are doing."

    At that moment, a universe away, Voyager's first officer was being lead through a series of tunnels. Trying to memorize his way around the intricate network, Chakotay slowed his pace but it seemed his guards were the impatient sort. One of them gave him a rough shove in the small of his back with it's staff, sending him sprawling into a large cavern. 
    Chakotay scrambled to his feet, glaring at the green skinned guard but otherwise did nothing. The other guard gestured roughly, indicating to Chakotay to keep moving. Turning about, he resumed walking towards the center of the chamber.
    Moments later he approached a small circle of light. Seeing that Tuvok and Neelix were already there ahead of him, he quickened his pace towards them. Upon first glance both seemed fine, though their clothing was smeared with dirt and disheveled as was his uniform. "How are you two doing?"
    "As well as can be expected, Commander," the Talaxian replied. Neelix was putting up a good front, but Chakotay could see in the Talaxian's eyes that he was still in a good deal of pain from the blows he had taken when they had been captured. Chakotay still felt the impacts himself from the attack. Fortunately for them, it seemed that their captors wanted them alive and relatively unharmed. At least for now.
    "My condition is quite adequate, Commander," Tuvok added. He was of course maintaining the typical Vulcan stoicism, thus making nearly impossible to read him. But considering that Vulcans were nearly as tough as Klingons, Chakotay knew that he was most likely in the best condition of any of them.
    The loud noise of a door opening alerted Chakotay that someone else was approaching, and he broke off questioning his comrades. There would be time enough for that later. Instead he watched silently as a group of their captors moved into a formation around the dias, with one of them standing on it. They appeared identical to those that had captured them, save for the fact that their skins were colored a bright orange. 
    The one atop the dias had a blue coloring to it's skin. From it's position and the way in which it was regarding them, Chakotay presumed that this was the leader. He took a step towards this alien and addressed it. "I am Commander Chakotay, first officer of the Federation Starship Voyager. Our mission is one of peace. There's no need to treat us as if we are your enemies."
    The alien leader responded in it's own language, but a voice soon emanated from the crystal at the top of it's staff. Evidently it not only served as a weapon, but a translator as well. "We know who you are, human." Chakotay and Neelix both started, while Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "And there is every need, for you are our enemies. All who serve in Starfleet-" Her voice (Chakotay presumed it was a female addressing him, since the voice from the translator sounded female) dripped scorn as it said 'Starfleet'. "- are our enemies."
    Chakotay stared at her, incredulous. This planet was sixty thousand light years from the nearest Federation outpost, yet this creature seemed intimately familiar with Starfleet. And extremely hostile towards anyone associated with it as well.
    Neelix leaned forward. "She doesn't seem like the friendly type, Commander," he whispered.
    "Silence!" a load voice roared from the translator.
    "I repeat, we are not your enemies," Chakotay reiterated, ignoring the command. "Starfleet's mission is one of peaceful exploration. Our purpose in coming to your world was to determine if a spatial anomaly we detected just inside your atmosphere could be used as a means for us to get home."
    The alien leader didn't reply except by staring coldly at him. 
    Then, responding to some unseen signal, one of the guards struck Chakotay with the butt of it's staff, causing him to double over. Tuvok and Neelix both took an instinctive step towards the commander but their paths were immediately blocked by other guards. "I said, 'Silence', human."
    Gasping for breath as he was, Chakotay was unable to respond. But after a moment or two he was able to force himself to stand up, glaring defiantly at the alien.
    "Spare me the pathetic lies, human. We of Negara are well acquainted with Starfleet." She leaned closer to Chakotay, her very pose dripping with menace. "And for your information, I am Metallah, 
Queen of Negara. And I will ask the questions here." It was clear now to Chakotay that any attempts at diplomacy were wasted here. "Now, you will answer me. I sent over one hundred of my best to your wretched ship, and then it had the gall to vanish. Where is your ship?" The voice from the translator grew louder and shrill as she demanded, "Where is Voyager?!?"

    Hours later, a very tired and even more disheveled Chakotay was picking himself off the cell floor after the guard slammed and locked the door. He threw a dangerous glare at the door as he brushed himself off briskly. "I'm getting more than a little tired of being shoved around like this," he remarked to his companions, his voice more than a little terse. Indicating the throne room they had left earlier he said, "Have either of you got any idea what the hell all that was about?"
    Neelix shook his head. "I have no idea, Commander. I never heard of the Federation until I met Voyager. I have no idea how she did."
    Tuvok frowned slightly , considering the problem. "It is possible that another Federation ship was pulled into the Delta Quadrant before Voyager," he postulated.
    Neelix shrugged. "If so I never heard of it."
    "The Delta Quadrant is a rather large place, Mr. Neelix," Tuvok observed. "It is quite likely that a Starfleet vessel other than Voyager was stranded here and that news of it's existence never reached you."
    "We could speculate all day and not figure it out," Chakotay said. "All we really know is that there is some connection between this Metallah. What worries me is she said that her people had boarded Voyager."
    "Almost a hundred," Neelix concurred. "But she also said it vanished. Perhaps Captain Janeway found a way to elude them."
    Tuvok shook his head, looking about as sullen as a Vulcan could ever hope. "I wish I could share your optimism, Mr. Neelix. While I have confidence in Captain Janeway's tactical abilities, given the 
aliens' demonstrated immunity to phasers they could very well capture Voyager."
    "If that's happened, then we could be the only chance Voyager has." Chakotay looked about the cell. "We're going to have to find a way to escape."
    "That's not going to be easy, Commander," Neelix noted. "In fact," he added looking at the solid door, "it may be impossible."
    Chakotay smiled at the Talaxian. "Don't worry, Neelix. We'll figure something out. Those of us in the Maquis had to do the impossible everyday just to survive."

    Tom cast another glance down the walkway to deck two. As before, he could see the forcefield at the bottom shimmering as blow after blow from the aliens hammered at it. It wouldn't be much longer before it would fail, allowing the intruders to rush onto the bridge. Turning, he made one more check of the defensive arrangements. Ensign Graves was situated behind the helm, armed with a phaser compression rifle. Tom and Chell, a Bolian who had been among the Maquis that had joined the crew, each had positions flanking her, both armed with hand phasers. In theory, they had the entrance from deck two thoroughly covered. 
    Unfortunately, given the resistance to phasers the intruders had shown to date, they might as well be throwing tribbles at the intruders. 
    "Everyone set?"
    "Sure," Ensign Graves replied in a dry voice, Chell nodding agreement. "All ready to do our General Custer imitation."
    "Come on, it's not that bad," Tom said, putting a false tone of joviality into his voice. "We may be outnumbered and badly outgunned, but we were in the same situation against the Cardassians."
    Graves didn't react to the lame attempt at bravado but Chell was quick to point out, "If you shot a Cardassian, he went down. It's not the case with these things."
    Tom nodded grimly, unable to counter Chell's point. At the moment they needed a miracle if they were going to hold onto the bridge. Come on, Harry.
    As if in answer to his thought, the floor hatch to the Jeffries tube opened up. Reflexively, they all shifted aim to cover the opening, but soon relaxed when Harry climbed out. "It's about time," Tom said, thoroughly relieved.
    "Sorry it took so long," Harry began, but he as soon as he tried to stand, he stumbled and nearly fell. The only reason he didn't was because he managed to grab onto the nearby bridge railing.
    Seeing how pale Harry had become, Tom rushed over to his friend. "Harry, you look like hell."
    "I'll admit things were a bit rougher than I would've liked," Harry said with a wane smile. He nodded back to the floor hatch. "But I did manage to find some help."
    Tom followed Harry's gesture towards the tube access, and he blinked upon seeing who was exiting. "Who...?"
    What appeared to be two teenage girls were emerging from the Jeffries tube. The first one, with long black hair and dressed in a mostly white outfit with a red skirt, stood up glaring at Harry. "What 
do you mean, 'you found us'?" she demanded. "We found you being attacked and saved your life, remember?"
    "Take it easy, Mars," the other one advised her. Tom noted that her attire favored blue, as did the color of her hair.
    "Harry..." he said uneasily.
    "You remember the Sailor Scouts that Seven mentioned?" After Tom nodded, Harry continued, "Well, these are two of them. This is Sailor Mercury and the one with a worse temper than B'Elanna is Sailor Mars."
    Mercury smiled and nodded in greetings to Tom, but Mars was too busy scowling at Harry. "I do not have a bad temper," she groused.
    Tom was still puzzled. "How did they get here?"
    "Remember what I said about the quantum flux? And how we shifted to another universe?" After Tom nodded again, "Well, we ended up on their homeworld. In other words... Welcome to Earth."
    Tom firmly clamped his mouth shut, because he was sure that if he didn't, it would end up hitting the floor. When he felt confident enough to speak, "Earth?"
    "That's right. But that's not all the news I have." Harry tossed Tom the phaser rifle he was carrying, then unslinging the one across his back. At the same time, Mars and Mercury tossed rifles to Graves and Chell. "Curtesy of a little Starfleet ingenuity from me, some Borg innovation by Seven and a lot of insight from Sailor Mercury -" he tilted his head in her direction. Mercury smiled slightly in response. "-we have a modified phaser that should make the aliens think twice about taking Voyager."
    Tom looked the phaser over carefully, feeling a sense of optimism creep into him for the first time in a long while. If the Sailor Scouts were as effective as Captain Janeway had said, and with these new phasers, maybe they did have a chance after all.

    "How much further?" Venus asked impatiently.
    "We are nearly there," Seven responded with as much patience as she ever showed. "There are only fifteen more meters until we reach the engineering exit."
    "I still say we should have exited outside engineering and rushed the aliens," Jupiter growled. "We could take them out easily."
    "We still have time, "Seven stated. "Besides, our primary mission is to get these modified phaser rifles to those inside."
    "If we take care of the aliens, then we won't have to worry about getting inside engineering," Jupiter retorted. "And how do you know there is enough time?"
    "Based on my observations of the aliens abilities, I was able to estimate how long the forcefields protecting engineering would last. Using that as a base, I allotted the time needed to complete the 
modifications." She paused and looked back at them. "Of course, I did have to modify the schedule to allow for Sailor Venus' irrelevant conversations."
    "What the... what do you mean, 'irrelevant conversation'?" the blonde challenged.
    "Your flirtations with Ensign Kim were hardly conducive to our mission."
    "What's wrong?" Venus asked, then she smiled. "Jealous?"
    "Hardly," Seven stated before resuming her progress.
    Venus wasn't about to let is go. "Aha! I knew it! You really do..." She paused, listening to sounds coming from the far end of the Jeffries tube. Seven and Jupiter did likewise. "What's that?"
    Seven grimaced. "The aliens have penetrated the forcefield and broken into engineering." Without further word, she moved forward at an accelerated pace. Venus and Jupiter followed.
    "So much for the best laid plans of mice, men and Borg," Jupiter muttered.

    The Doctor peered through the open door into the mess hall, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask doing likewise. Inside, they could see the tables had been shoved roughly to one side, clearing out a large space in the middle. It was large enough for a cluster of the aliens, five in all, to stand together in a circular formation. They didn't appear to be doing anything, but the Doctor knew something was up, as the top of each staff was glowing brightly. Standing around them and keeping a watchful eye out were about a dozen more of the intruders. "Over a dozen of them, that I could see," he whispered to his companions after pulling back a few meters.
    "There were even more of your crew in there," Tuxedo Mask whispered back, Sailor Moon nodding in agreement.
    "I know." Indeed, it would have been hard for the hologram to miss that, as they were lying all around the room, in some cases piled one atop another. As far as he could tell they were only unconscious, but it was impossible for him to say for certain with doing a detailed examination. Which the aliens were unlikely to permit. "There must be one third of the crew in there."
    "How long until they teleport?" asked Sailor Moon.
    "You're the experts on beings like these," the Doctor replied. "You tell me." However, the look he exchanged with the two of them told them he was thinking the same thing they were. It would be soon. Very soon.

    The distinctive sound of a forcefield collapsing brought Tom back to reality. "Everyone in position!" he yelled, jumping back to his previous position behind the helm. Ensign Graves took the spot to his 
immediate right while Chell posted himself on his left. Harry posted himself at the Engineering station, using it as cover. Mercury and Mars reacted quickly, posting themselves alongside the Starfleet defenders. Looking at the defensive setup, Mars experienced a brief sense of deja vu, remembering a time when she and the others minus Sailor Moon had faced off against Malachite with a security squad from the Enterprise providing cover. This quickly became relevant as the Starfleet personnel present fired immediately when the intruders became visible on the bridge. True to Seven's predictions, the phasers were more effective against the aliens, but not as immediately as she had 
hoped. It still took two or three shots to render one of the intruders immobile. But given the firepower they were able to mass against the doorway, it didn't seem probable that the aliens would be able to get through. Especially when she and Mercury added their support.
    As the first alien appeared at the entrance Mars stiffened, feeling rather than hearing a note of alarm in her head. There was something dangerous and evil on the bridge, something other than the 
aliens rushing up from the deck below. As the Voyager defenders opened fire she quickly looked about, trying to spot it. Just in time for her to see a door to her left slide open and one of the aliens move through it. "Over there!" she warned the others while summoning her powers. "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!" Keening sharply in pain, the lead alien vanished in a amid ringlets of flame.

    Lacking time for anything more subtle, Seven kicked open the engineering Jeffries tube access and crawled outside. But she ducked back inside when a phaser beam lanced at her location. "I see you alien!" a near panic stricken voiced cried.
    "I am not an alien, I am Seven of Nine," she retorted irritably. 
    She poked her head back outside the tube, and glared at the direction the beam had come from. The crewman lowered the weapon he had pointed at her, an apologetic expression forming on his face.
    "Sorry, Seven," he said. "It's just that..." His eyes darted about the room, focusing mainly on the lower level. "...they're everywhere!"
    Emerging fully from the Jeffries tube, Seven could see that he hadn't exaggerated the situation. The intruders in engineering vastly outnumbered the defenders, and more could be seen rushing in. She 
handed a rifle to the crewman. "Here," she said, unslinging another one. "You will find this weapon more effective against them." He nodded, but began pointing the weapon at the tube entrance when 
Jupiter began crawling out. Seven grabbed him by the arm and spun him roughly about. "Fire at the aliens, not them!" she snapped, then proceeded to do so herself. It took three bursts but one of the 
intruders dropped to the deck.
    "Finally some action," Seven heard Jupiter say, felt a large accumulation of static electricity build before Jupiter let fly her attack with a loud cry. The electrical outburst struck among a group of the intruders near the engineering entrance, scattering them like tenpins. Grinning in triumph, Jupiter leapt over the railing to the deck below, with Venus following right behind her.
    Upon landing, Venus raced over to her left, where she saw one of Voyager's crew, a Vulcan, being menaced by one of the aliens. As calm as any of his race, he showed no emotion at all as he dodged the various blows while firing his own phaser at his attacker. Unfortunately, this was having very little effect. But Venus knew she could change that. 
    "VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!"
    Responding to her summons, the golden band of energy lassoed the alien, rendering it immobile. The Vulcan was slightly taken aback by her intervention, but his hesitation lasted only half a moment. He moved forward and placed a hand at the base of the alien's neck. It jerked as if poked with a cattle prod, then fell to the floor.
    "Fascinating," the Vulcan noted. "While it's skin is of a chitinous nature, it is still pliable enough for the Vulcan Nerve Pinch to be effective."
    "Whatever you say," she answered. She tossed him the phaser rifle she had been carrying from the armory, glad to be rid of it's weight. "Seven said this should help you fight them."
    "Indeed?" he noted.
    "Yep."
    "This should be of great assistance," he said before swiveling the weapon in her direction.
    "Hey!" Before she could react, he pressed the trigger, sending a phaser pulse rushing just by her. From behind her, she heard what sounded like one of the aliens in pain. Turning around, she saw one that had been almost right behind her staggering. The Vulcan fired at the alien twice more before it finally fell.
    "It seems you are correct," he said. "Though multiple shots seemed to be needed to neutralize them." He looked at her, one eyebrow upraised, "I am Ensign Vorick."
    "Sailor Venus."

    "I'm afraid we don't have time for any elaborate plans," the Doctor said. In the distance he could hear the sounds of phaser fire, no doubt coming from the bridge. The aliens had no doubt penetrated the forcefield protecting the bridge and it was very likely that they had entered into engineering as well. "I'll go in first and distract them. When their attention is focused on me, make your move."
    "Wait a minute. What about you?" Sailor Moon objected. "You'll be killed!"
    The Doctor smiled. "I appreciate your concern, but it's unnecessary. I'm a hologram, remember? I'm immune to their attacks..." He paused before adding, "...I hope."
    The other aliens started when the Doctor strolled in, but his nonchalant approach put them off, allowing him to get close to one of those in the circle. "You look like you could use some rest," he told 
it before pressing his hypo up against it's neck. There was a loud hissing noise as the hypo discharged, and the alien staggered before finally collapsing. "As I thought," the Doctor noted with some satisfaction, "They're immune to anesthetics in a gaseous form, but not to a direct injection."
    The aliens were not pleased, to put it mildly. Three of them unleashed energy bolts at him, which passed right through his holographic form. But seconds later, his form blurred with static momentarily. 
    "Oh, no," he said as the realization dawned on him that he wasn't entirely immune to the alien energy. While it hadn't affected him directly, it had introduced a slight instability in his holographic matrix. At the moment it wasn't bad, but if he got hit again...
    "Hold it!" All alien eyes turned to the entrance, where Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were standing. Taking advantage of the situation, the Doctor decided to head for cover. "I am Sailor Moon, champion of justice! This ship belongs to Starfleet, not you creeps! So consider this an eviction notice, in the name of the Moon!"

    The second Mars shouted out her warning, Tom swiveled about to face the new threat. The Sailor Scout had already dealt with the first one, but he could see others behind it inside the ready room. "Keep the deck two entrance covered. We'll handle this," he told Ensign Graves.
    She nodded curtly, not pausing her firing. "Yes, sir."
    Mercury quickly ran over her options while Tom, and then Harry, began firing at the ready room entrance. She could deal with the next alien up the ramp easily, but with their fire power now split there was a danger the next two or three would get past the phasers and put them in danger of being overrun. Their best option was to get some cover from the aliens attacks, then she could go on the offensive. And since there wasn't a lot available on the bridge, that left... "MERCURY BUBBLES 
BLAST!"
    The next batch of aliens to the top of the ramp now found themselves facing an nearly impenetrable fog bank. Unable to see their targets or even the layout of the bridge, they hesitated.
    This proved to be their undoing, for the Scouts and their Starfleet allies were not hampered by the fog. Ensign Graves and Chell both fired rapidly, dropping this rank of the intruders. The next group 
up found themselves facing Sailor Mercury going on the offensive. A wave of cold swept down the ramp, freezing the intruders in their tracks. 
    The frozen forms served to slow the next wave of attackers.
    It was going a little harder on the other bridge front, but Mercury's fogbank worked in their favor here as well, allowing the three of them to stagger their fire effectively. Several of the intruders were able to work their way onto the bridge, but being nearly blinded by the fog their effectiveness was almost nil. But the number of them was giving Tom cause to worry. Sooner or later, one of them would stumble onto the defenders or the fog would fade and then...
    Without warning he heard what sounded like an electrical discharge from inside the ready room. The sounds of several of the aliens in pain soon followed. "What the hell..." Looking over at Mars, he could tell that she was equally puzzled. There was another electrical discharge sound and this time beams of energy lanced out from the ready room, striking down the aliens on the bridge.
    "What was that?" Mars asked in a whisper.
    "Good question," Tom replied. "I wish I had an answer." He glanced over at Harry, but he shook his head. He had no clue as to what that was either.
    "Whatever it was, it wasn't electricity." Tom and Mars both turned. Mercury was standing behind them, scanning the area with her computer. Tom noted that both Graves and Chell were standing by the deck two walkway, having ceased firing and that the fog on the bridge was dissipating.
    Seeing his eyes on her, Graves nodded to Tom. "Situation is secure, sir. I think we stopped them."
    "Good. Do what you can to secure that door." Tom turned back to the open ready room door. "In the meantime, I'm going to find out what happened to the captain."

    B'Elanna grappled with one of the aliens, trying to summon up another burst of strength. Her human side knew that it was quite likely a hopeless fight to hold engineering, but her Klingon half was past 
caring. And that half was currently in control.
    Unfortunately it wasn't doing her much good. She had grabbed the alien's staff and tried to wrest it away, but the intruder was much stronger than even a Klingon and it was slowly pressing her backwards against the bulkhead. It was perilously close to forcing the staff against her neck when she heard a loud voice cry out, "Leave her alone!" 
    The next thing B'Elanna knew, her attacker was pulled backwards by a tall, auburn haired girl who proceeded to punch the alien square in the face. For all the trouble it had given B'Elanna, it proved no much for her strength and it dropped like a stone.
    B'Elanna took a couple of deep breaths and regarded her benefactor. "Thanks, whoever you are."
    "No problem. And the name's Sailor Jupiter," she replied, handing a phaser rifle to B'Elanna. "Here. If Seven's right, this should help even the odds."
    "I certainly hope so," B'Elanna said, checking the phaser settings. "I'll take any advantage I can- LOOK OUT!"
    Jupiter whirled at Torres' warning only to see the top of an alien staff inches from her face. But for some odd reason, it hadn't struck her yet. After a moment, she realized why- someone was holding the staff back. Namely, Seven of Nine.
    Both Jupiter and B'Elanna watched the contest of wills between Seven and the alien. At first it seemed too close to call, then slowly and inexorably Seven began forcing it backwards. Then a loud snap was heard as Seven broke the staff clean in half. The alien was too stunned to react when Seven grabbed it forcibly and flung it back against the bulkhead where it fell atop the one Jupiter had knocked out. 
    "Resistance is futile."
    "Thanks," Jupiter said.
    "You are welcome," Seven answered, retrieving her own weapon.

    All things considered, the Doctor mused, things were going rather well. After Sailor Moon had given her mandatory introductory speech, the aliens not involved with the teleportation effort had rushed her and Tuxedo Mask, only to be confronted with a rather powerful attack from her and an array of lethal roses from him. Unfortunately, there was little he could do to assist. He had dodged the next round of energy bolts the intruders had sent his way, or almost dodged. One of them had hit him in his hand, damaging the hypo beyond repair.
    Fortunately he knew that an emergency medical kit was stored in here. Moving quickly, he retrieved the kit and then made his way to a relatively safe spot inside Neelix's kitchen. The best thing he could do at the moment, he decided, was to revive some of the security personnel here and give them the phaser rifle they had brought.
    Lacking the time for anything subtle, the hologram gave three crewman rather large doses of inimizine, a very potent stimulant. It should counter the anestazine they had inhaled earlier.
    He poked his head up above the countertop. So far it appeared that his two allies still had the situation in hand, as there were several aliens now on the floor. But their defense of those in the circle had been intense. Except for the one the Doctor had sedated, the others were still there and their staffs were now giving off a blinding glare. Bending down again, he thrust the phaser rifles into the hands of the still groggy crew. "Use these against the aliens. But only them. We've secured some outside assistance, and it would be poor form for you to-"
    He didn't get any farther than that. There was a blinding flash of light, then a loud scream of "NO!"
    Standing up quickly, the Doctor made a quick evaluation of what had happened. What he saw, or rather didn't see, proved to be most unsettling. "Uh oh."

    Tom was the first one into the ready room. It seemed just like he had last seen it, with Captain Janeway sprawled upon the couch. But upon going further into the room, he spotted how the aliens had entered. There was a large hole in the floor that went clear through to the deck below. "The captain's not going to be too happy about that," he muttered. "Neither's B'Elanna, for that matter." Aside from that, there was nothing else amiss in here, no sign whatsoever of what had attacked the aliens at the end of the struggle. Putting that aside for the moment, he went over to Captain Janeway. Mercury was already beside her, scanning with her computer. The other Scout, Mars, was behind her, 
staring at the captain with her eyes narrowed. "Any luck?"
    "Not really," Mercury said, shaking her head for emphasis. "There's no sign of any cranial trauma or neurological damage."
    "That's what I found," Tom sighed. He wasn't a doctor (nor did he have any desire to become one), but he was still frustrated by his inability to do anything for the captain. "Nothing that could account 
for her being unconscious."
    "Oh, I found something," Mercury said. "I just don't know what it means."
    Curious, Tom peered over her shoulder to get a better look at the computer display. A puzzled expression immediately formed on his face. "What the hell...?"
    "I was hoping you could tell me."
    Mars waited impatiently for either of them to explain, but both were too engrossed with examining the computer display. "Would one of you tell me what you're talking about?" she finally snapped.
    Startled, both of them jumped slightly. "Captain Janeway is exhibiting a dual EEG pattern," Mercury explained.
    Tom reopened the medical tricorder and started scanning the captain again. "I'm picking it up too," he said, frowning. "But it wasn't there the last time I checked."
    Mercury frowned also. "That's odd."
    "Maybe, but it fits with what I'm sensing from her," Mars added. "There's a duality about her, as if there were two minds inside her head." She turned to face Tom. "The good news is that I'm not sensing anything evil or malicious about either one."
    "That doesn't mean much. It still could be some form of neural parasite or virus."
    "No, it's nothing like that," Mars insisted. "There's another intelligence here. Another mind."

    B'Elanna looked around the engine after the roar of thunder from Jupiter's last attack faded, searching for another target. Seeing that the room was clear except for Voyager crew and the two Sailor Scouts, she allowed herself to sag back against a nearby control panel. "We did it. We won."
    "Of course we did!" Venus exclaimed. She and Jupiter were on the far side of the room, exchanging high fives and congratulating each other. But their exuberance faded when they realized that Seven was staring at them, her expression clearly indicating that she was in doubt as to their sanity.
    B'Elanna had limped over to panel and began working on restoring the comm system. Without looking back she said, "Seven, why don't you get to work on restoring main power?"
    "Very well, Lieutenant." Seven moved to the warp core diagnostic panel and began a series of diagnostics.
    Interested, Venus watched her work for a few minute. "Anything I can do to help?"
    Seven fixed her with a firm stare. "No."

    Tom was still wondering just what to make of Mercury's findings when a very unexpected beep sounded from the comm system. "Kim to Paris. I just got word from B'Elanna. Seven and her groups arrived in engineering and drove the intruders away from there. As you can tell, she's got the comm system back online, and she's beginning to work on restoring main power."
    "Thanks, Harry." Tom tapped his commbadge. "Paris to the Doctor."
    "Go ahead."
    "What the situation down there?"
    "It would seem our recent guests decided that discretion was the better part of valor and left the ship. Or at least those in the mess hall did."
    Mercury made a quick adjustment to her computer. "He's right. I'm not detecting any more of the aliens on Voyager."
    Tom sighed with relief. "That's the best news I've had today. Nice work, Doc."
    "Don't congratulate me yet, Mr. Paris." Tom heard the gloomy tone in the Doctor's voice and felt a growing sense of apprehension. Mars and Mercury each paused and listened intently themselves. "When they departed, our friends took with them a number of our crew."
    "How many?" And who? he wondered to himself.
    "I'm not sure exactly. Between twenty and thirty. From what I could tell, they were mostly members of ship's security."
    "Great," Tom grimaced. "Any more good news?"
    "I'm afraid so," the hologram reported. "They also managed to abduct one of our allies, Tuxedo Mask. Needless to say, Sailor Moon is not taking that very well."
    Mars and Mercury both stiffened as soon as the Doctor said this. 
    "Stay up here," Mars told her friend. "I'm going down there." Not waiting to hear her response, she got up and hurriedly left the room.

    Back in the Delta Quadrant, Metallah stepped hesitantly into a large chamber in the lower levels of her citadel. If Chakotay had been watching this, he would have found it odd that the being who had been so arrogant and assured when interrogating himself and the away team would be almost afraid to enter into a seemingly empty room. Empty that is except for a large, transparent container. Inside it could be seen several colors (mostly blues, reds and black) shifting and swirling about. Still hesitant, she slowly approached and then spoke to it, her head bowed. "We failed. Our incursion force was driven off Voyager thanks to the interference from those Sailor Scouts." The colors swirled about in a very agitated manner, taking on a deep red tone. 
    "Somehow that wretched ship was able to trigger the gateway back to their world. Our force was able to teleport back across, but only at a substantial loss of their energy reserves." Not willing to report only failure she quickly added, "But we did capture a number of Voyager's crew, and Tuxedo Mask as well."
    As she had hoped, the colors slowed and took on a lighter, friendlier hue. After several minutes, a deep resonating voice emerged. "Very well, Metallah. Keep the prisoners secure and prepare for 
Voyager's return."
    "I could lead another force to take the ship," she volunteered. "But to perform the teleport, we will need-"
    "There's no need to go after the Federation ship," the voice interrupted her. "As long as we have the Starfleet away team and those you captured on Voyager in custody, we can be sure that the Federation ship will return. They won't leave their crew behind. And the Sailor Scouts will be with them, trying to rescue Tuxedo Mask. We can deal with our enemies in one fell swoop."

    It was fortunate that the mess hall was on deck two and not on one of the lower decks, Mars reflected as she made her way there. Leaving the bridge as rapidly as she had, she neglected to ask anyone directions. Of course, she could have called Mercury on her communicator and asked, but her own sense of pride prevented her from doing so. In any event, she found the room quickly enough and saw that the Doctor was examining the remaining crew inside. "...I'm rapidly becoming inundated, Mr. 
Paris," he was saying. "I've got at least a dozen injured here, and who knows how many there are in engineering. I need help!"
    "I'd like to oblige you, Doc, but right now I don't have the time," Tom responded. "With Captain Janeway unconscious, I'm currently in command. I've got about a dozen things to handle up here." There was a brief pause on the other end of the comm line. "Doc, Sailor Mercury just volunteered to give you a hand. She'll meet you in Sickbay. Paris out."
    The hologram sighed, then his form frizzed out again. "This is becoming irritating," he noted dryly, then noticed Mars entering the room. Before she could say anything he said, "I had a feeling you'd show up. She's over there," pointing to one of the windows. Looking that way herself, she could see Sailor Moon standing there.
    She wondered briefly on how the Doctor knew she would be here, but there were more important things for her to worry about at the moment. "Thanks, Doctor."
    The Doctor watched her approach Sailor Moon before returning his attention to the wounded. It came as no surprise to him that Mars would be the first one here to reassure the leader of the Sailor Scouts. As he had informed them earlier in Sickbay, the medical logs of several of the finest physicians in the Federation had been incorporated into his program. And that had included Dr. Crusher's observations of the Scouts.
    Mars stopped just behind Sailor Moon. She waited a bit for her to notice but she remained still, staring out the window at the snowscape. Finally she touched her lightly on the shoulder, "Serena?"
    She wasn't sure what kind of reaction she was expecting, but Sailor Moon jumping as if she had been poked with a cattle prod hadn't been foremost in her thoughts. Sailor Moon whirled about to face Mars.
    Mars didn't bother asking the usual clichéd "Are you okay?", for it was blatantly obvious that she was not. While she wasn't bawling her eyes out as she might have done in the past, her eyes were red from the tears that she had shed and there was an almost terrified look in her eyes. 
    "They took him, Raye," she said in a voice choked with emotion.
    "I know," Mars told her. Then, not caring if the Doctor or anyone else saw, she wrapped her arms around her friend in a reassuring hug. "We've been through this before, Serena. We got him back then, and we'll do it this time, too."

    The first thing Tuxedo Mask became aware of was the sound of distant voices, growing more distinct as consciousness slowly returned. Instinctively he tried to sit up, then groaned as the throbbing in his head intensified suddenly.
    One of those nearby knelt down by him. "Easy there, friend. Our hosts were a little rough in how they treated you."
    "Yeah, I remember." He gingerly felt the bump on his head that served as a reminder. Blinking a few more times to clear his sight, he examined his surroundings. He was locked in a cell with these three for companions. Two of them were in Starfleet uniforms, while the third was dressed in what apparently passed for civilian garb. "You must be that Voyager away team that beamed down."
    The man kneeling next to him, who had a very distinctive tattoo on the left side of his forehead, blinked in surprise. "That's right. I'm Commander Chakotay, this is Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, and this is..."
    "Neelix, at your service," the Talaxian said. He bent over slightly, handing Tuxedo Mask his hat. "I'm afraid they just threw this in after you."
    "I'm surprised they even bothered." Tuxedo Mask gingerly got back to his feet, using the cell wall for support. "Thanks, though."
    Chakotay stood up himself. "You seem to be acquainted with us somehow. Mind telling us how?"
    "Simple. I was just on your ship, Voyager, not long ago. And I met a few of your shipmates there." In the next few minutes, he briefed them on what he had seen and heard during his sojourn on Voyager.
    The more he heard from Tuxedo Mask, the more concerned Chakotay grew. "Do you know if either of the other teams were successful?"
    Tuxedo Mask shook his head. "No idea. But Sailor Moon and I were doing pretty good against them, so I would imagine the other Scouts would make a dent in the aliens."
    "They call themselves Negarans," the first officer told him.
    "That fits," Tuxedo Mask snorted.
    Chakotay nodded absently as he quickly pondered the situation. With Captain Janeway unconscious, the left Tom in command. A few years ago he might have been gravely concerned with that prospect, but Tom had proven himself time and again over the last four years. He felt confident that Tom could manage things there, and that he would bring Voyager back over to this universe somehow. "We're going to have to move quickly," he said, addressing his crewmates. "If they were able to drive the intruders off the ship, then Tom's going to bring the ship back here as soon as possible. It's going to be up to us to find out what the Negarans are up to, and how best to put a crimp in their plans."
    "Then we should put our plan into motion as soon as possible," Tuvok observed.
    "Agreed." Chakotay turned to Tuxedo Mask again. "It's a good thing they didn't put you in here any later, or you'd be spending your stay in here alone."
    "Plans?" Tuxedo Mask regarded Chakotay and the others carefully. They seemed to be completely serious. "Why do you say that? Planning an escape?"
    Chakotay nodded. "That's right," he confirmed, lowering his voice. "We've been working on a plan for some time now. We're just about ready to put it into motion."
    Tuxedo Mask looked about the cell. The walls seemed to be solid stone, and the door looked to be a formidable barrier, one that even he would have trouble breaking down. And there was no way these three had had time to dig an escape tunnel. "What're you planning on? Get the guards to open the door and let you walk out of here?"
    Chakotay smiled slightly despite the sarcasm present in Tuxedo Mask's voice. "As a matter of fact... that's exactly what we intend to do."

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Sailor Trek: Voyager
By Bill Harris
Chapter 5 -- The Great Escape
PG13

    Mercury took a deep breath and let it out in one large rush, willing herself to relax. It wasn't easy, given the intense activity that had been going on in sickbay. She and the Doctor had treated a large number of cases over the last hour. (Or was it longer? She couldn't be sure.) Once more she sent a silent word of thanks to Dr. Crusher, wherever in the universes she was. During her time on the Enterprise-D, she had taught Amy on how to operate some of the instruments used in a Starfleet sickbay. That experience had proven invaluable here.
    Fortunately, none of the injuries had proven to be serious or life threatening. The worst of them had been a case of multiple fractures from the fighting that had gone on in engineering. The Doctor had 
handled that one while she and Tom Paris worked on the easier ones. Despite his earlier protestations of being too busy, he managed to find time to stop by and lend a hand before going down to engineering. Now sickbay was empty, save for herself, the Doctor and the one case they still had in there.
    Namely, Captain Janeway.
    The hologram had been standing by her biobed, studying the monitors intensely while she wrapped up the last few cases. But his expression was still the same- one of a person who has no idea what to do next. She went over next to him, but he took no notice of her. "Doctor?"
    "Hmm?" The Doctor glanced over at her. "Oh... Thank you for your assistance, Amy. There's no need for you to remain here, and I'm sure you want to check on your friends. Feel free to leave."
    "You're right, I do want to see how the others are, especially Sailor Moon." She had a feeling that everything was alright, or at least as all right as it could be, given the circumstances. If anything were 
wrong, Raye would've called her and the others for help. "But first, is there any change in Captain Janeway?"
    The Doctor smiled grimly. "None whatsoever, I'm afraid. And I am still at a loss as to how to treat her. This is like no other case I've handled. Especially as there are no symptoms of anything wrong, other than her being unconscious. Nothing else."
    "Nothing? What about the dual EEG I detected when I examined her earlier?" she asked.
    "That's just it," the Doctor answered. "It's not there anymore."
    "What?!?" Mercury exclaimed, not believing her ears. Moving forward, she examined the medical readouts for herself but saw that the Doctor was correct. Captain Janeway's EEG readings were now quite normal. No sign remained of the mysterious second EEG pattern that had been so evident only a short while ago. "I don't believe it."
    "Neither do I." The hologram stared down at the biomonitors, his expression glum. "I've treated all sort of cases- everything from plasma burns to the phage to macroviruses, and I have the entire medical knowledge of the Federation incorporated into my program. But this case has me absolutely baffled."

    Chakotay looked up at Tuvok's approach. He was seated on the floor of their cell, talking quietly with Tuxedo Mask, hoping to gain some insight as to their captors from what he had observed on Voyager. Neelix had stood nearby, listening in earnest. "What is it, Tuvok?"
    The Vulcan squatted down, pitching his voice for his cellmates alone. "A complication in our escape plans, Commander. While making preparations, I established contact with other members of Voyager's crew. It seems that Tuxedo Mask was not the only one they abducted from the ship."
    The first officer frowned. "How many?"
    "At least twenty three."
    Tuxedo Mask watched as Chakotay digested this bit of news. That many other captives could put a large crimp in their escape plans. Any captive left behind would be easy prey for Metallah and her bunch, to be used as hostages or worse. He had a feeling he knew what Chakotay's ultimate reaction would be. It would probably be the same one he, Serena, or any of the others would have in the same situation. Again he fought down the urge to begin pacing at the thought of Serena. Being teleported to an entirely different universe had disrupted the bond between them. He was unable to get any sense of her state of being, or even if she was alive. He didn't mind admitting that it was driving him crazy. Talking to Chakotay about his experiences with the Negaverse had helped distract him earlier, so he forced himself to concentrate on the first officer.
    Presently Chakotay nodded. "Okay. You're right... it does complicate things a bit. But continue your preparations, Tuvok. We'll begin whenever you're ready. And that's when we get out of here." He looked at each of his companions intently. "All of us."

    The engineering door opened just before Tom got there, allowing Joe Carey to exit. He nodded to Tom. "Lieutenant."
    "Making a house call?" Tom asked, indicating the repair kit the engineer had slung over his shoulder.
    "Just heading up to deck four. We've got a turbolift that malfunctioned somehow." Carey paused before continuing on his way, then nodded back to engineering. "You heading there?"
    "Yeah, I wanted to check on how the repairs were coming. Why?"
    Carey took a moment to glance back into engineering before replying. When he spoke next, it was in a much lower voice. "Be careful. I don't know why, but something's got Lieutenant Torres upset. In fact, the last time I saw her this angry was when she broke my nose."
    Not sure how to respond, Tom just watched as Carey moved off, then eyed the engineering entrance uneasily. He knew that B'Elanna had a temper, probably better than anyone else in the crew. But he found it hard to imagine what could set her off this badly. (Four years ago, yes, but that was another matter entirely.)
    Nothing seemed out of place when he finally entered Engineering. The area was quiet at the moment, with several people scattered at the various stations conducting repairs or performing required maintenance. Even Seven of Nine was here, aiding in the repair efforts.
    B'Elanna was over by the warp diagnostic panel. From what he could tell, she was running through a series of checks on the warp core but the way she was manipulating the controls clearly indicated to an observer that she was frustrated. Instead of tapping at the controls she was almost banging at them, hard enough that he was surprised that she hadn't shattered the panel.
    "Hello," he said walking up to her.
    "Lieutenant," she responded stiffly.
    Tom found himself taken somewhat aback by the tension in her voice. "Lieutenant? Why so formal?" he responded, putting a light tone in his voice.
    B'Elanna turned sharply and glared at him. "Don't start with me, Tom. I'm not in the mood."
    "Now why is that, I wonder?" Tom mused. Looking about the room, "It looks to me like the repair efforts are going pretty well. For example, you've just about got main power back online."
    "Oh sure, things are going fine now," B'Elanna said, her voice heavy with irony. "But that was only after I kicked Sailor Venus out of here."
    Tom waited for her to elaborate. "What did she do?"
    "You mean, 'What didn't she do?' First she nearly decrystallized the dilithium matrix, then she nearly collapsed the containment fields and finally, for good measure, she blew out the power converter!" B'Elanna paused and took a ragged breath. Not sure in how to respond, Tom watched as she tried to contain her temper. When B'Elanna next spoke, her voice was low and controlled. "But what I really don't understand is how she did all that by just pressing three controls!"
    "Come on, B'Elanna. This Earth we're sitting on is still in it's twentieth century. It would be hard for someone of that technological level to do that deliberately."
    B'Elanna snorted. "Deliberate or not, she managed it quite well. I'm telling you Tom, when it come to engineering, that... that..." She paused, struggling to find the right way to describe Sailor Venus, "...bubble headed blonde is a menace!"
    "Lieutenant Torres," Seven said, choosing that moment to interrupt. "Realignment of the injectors is complete."
    "Finally," B'Elanna muttered, glad to have something to distract her. "Now we can bring main power back online."
    While B'Elanna was reactivating the warp core, Seven turned to Paris. "Lieutenant Torres was not exaggerating Sailor Venus' penchant for technological mishaps. Such behavior has been observed in her in the past, and seems to be one of her more prominent character traits."
    B'Elanna paused long enough to throw Tom a look that had "I told you so" written all over it. "You're kidding," Tom said, unable to come up with a more suitable counterpoint.
    "No, I'm not." Seven seemed mildly offended that Tom doubted her veracity. "Sailor Venus has a rather extensive history of wreaking havoc with electronics. Letting her handle any technology is akin to mixing oxygen and hydrogen- sooner or later, there will be an explosion."
    Tom tried to frame a response, but a hum indicating a surge of power from the warp core interrupted his train of thought. "Okay, main power is back online," B'Elanna noted with a tone of satisfaction.
    "Good. Let me know when you get the engines working." He started to go, then stopped and turned back. "Don't you think you were being a bit hard on her, B'Elanna?" He held up a hand to forestall the 
inevitable outburst. "I know she set your repairs efforts back a bit. But she and her friends did help us save the ship... not to mention our lives."
    B'Elanna didn't respond immediately, but Tom could tell she was mulling over what he said. While the engineer did have a volatile temper, she wasn't one to hold a grudge very long, especially once she calmed down. "You may be right about that, Tom," B'Elanna reluctantly agreed after some time. "But I'm still adamant about one thing- as long as I'm chief engineer, she isn't setting one foot inside this room."

    The Negaran guard stood stock still at his post, as did his counterpart at the other end of the cellblock. Most might have thought having guards in here would be superfluous, but Metallah was taking no chances with her prisoners.
    All was quiet, which wasn't surprising as the cells were soundproof. Even so, the Negaran began fidgeting, becoming more and more nervous as time went on. The other guard eyed him curiously, but 
otherwise did nothing else.
    Finally, the guard couldn't take anymore and moved to the cell door that Tuxedo Mask had been thrown in hours before. For almost an hour now, he had been having an odd feeling that the prisoners inside had escaped somehow. If that happened on his shift, Metallah would quite literally have his head. He knew that it was impossible, but he just had to open up the door and be sure.
    He opened it up slowly, but something tore it out of his grasp and flung it wide open. The next thing the Negaran knew, he was being tackled by something.
    Tuxedo Mask followed right behind Neelix, looking about for other guards. The second guard was still at the far end of the hall, stock still in surprise at the sudden turn of events but that wouldn't last for long. Even as Tuxedo Mask was starting to move towards him, the guard had overcome his surprise and was starting to move towards the exit, no doubt to alert his fellows at the jailbreak. He threw a rose down the hall to disarm the Negaran then, lowering his shoulder, barreled into the alien and slammed him into the wall. The Negaran keened sharply in obvious pain as it slid to the floor and lay there unmoving.
    This done, he turned to check on how his companions were doing. And it didn't appear good.
    The Negaran was just in the process of throwing Neelix off him. The Talaxian had fought bravely, but this had simply turned out to be a case where his ambition was greater than his ability. The Negaran reached for his staff, but Chakotay got there in the same instance and contested him for the weapon. Neelix threw himself back into the fray, but it was evident that the guard was slowly gaining the upper hand.
    Tuxedo Mask readied himself to lend a hand, but Tuvok intervened before he could do anything. Then Vulcan, appearing slightly haggard form his exertions, moved in behind the Negaran and place a hand at the base of it's neck. Tuxedo Mask winced in some sympathy as the Negaran dropped from the effects of the Vulcan Nerve Pinch.
    Chakotay looked up and down the corridor, watching for other guards to show up and listening for sounds of the same. But nothing was visible and all he heard were the delightful sounds of silence. "It looks like we got away with it. Tuvok, Neelix: get these two in our cell. Tuxedo Mask and I will see to freeing the others."
    Tuvok nodded and started dragging one into the cell, while Neelix moved to the second guard. Less than a minute later, he had moved the Negaran into the cell. "I hope you two enjoy your stay here," he 
commented as he closed the door. "I think you'll find we left the accommodations in good order." Turning, he saw that Tuvok had arched an eyebrow but had yet to make any other comment. "Well... there's no need to be impolite," he commented lamely.
    "I see," Tuvok replied in a bland tone. With that he turned and headed for the other end of the cellblock. Their crewmates, now liberated from their cells, were clustered down there around Chakotay. The first officer was giving them a quick briefing on what their current situation was. 
    Neelix hustled to remain alongside the Vulcan. "I must say, Commander, that was a rather clever strategy- using your Vulcan mind techniques to implant a feeling that we had escaped in the guard's mind so that he would open the door for us. Very clever indeed."
    "While your admiration is understandable, it is misdirected," Tuvok informed him. "I was not the originator of this particular stratagem."
    "Really?" Neelix asked. "Then who?"
    "A Vulcan named Spock." Tuvok started down the corridor to rejoin Chakotay. "I first learned of this technique while I was posted on the Excelsior. Captain Sulu served many years with Spock and he frequently regaled us with tales of the exploits of the Enterprise crew."

    The mess hall didn't look as if it had been the site of a major battle only a little while ago, Harry reflected as he entered the room. Prodded by the Doctor, Tom had ordered him off duty soon after the battle for the ship had ended. But after returning to his quarters he had found that, although his body was exhausted, his mind was too actively engaged with current events for him to fall asleep. So after an hour or so of tossing and turning, he grabbed a padd and headed for the mess hall.
    For the most part the room was deserted, which was to be expected as nearly everyone else was busy conducting repairs or being treated for injuries sustained during the fighting. But three of the Sailor Scouts (Venus, Mars and Sailor Moon) where seated at a table. Venus smiled and waved at him, which he politely returned. Making his way to the counter for a cup of coffee (if any was available), he idly speculated on where the other two were. No doubt Mercury was giving the Doctor a hand, he decided. But he couldn't think of where Jupiter might be at the moment.
    A quick check confirmed his worst fears: no coffee. If any had been left over from that morning's breakfast, no doubt it had been spilled during the aliens takeover of the mess hall and the subsequent combat. Still, Neelix probably had some stored somewhere in the kitchen that he could use to make a new batch. He leaned over the counter looking for it...
    ...and promptly stood back sharply as someone popped up from behind the counter. "Hi!" Jupiter said brightly.
    Her appearance briefly confused him, but Harry was quick to recover. "Sailor Jupiter? What are you doing back there?"
    "Well, since your replicators are down, I'd thought I'd whip up something for us to eat." She cast a quick glance over to the others. "Hopefully it'll help Sailor Moon cheer up a bit." She eyed him speculatively. "If you want, I could make something for you."
    "Um... no thanks, I was just looking for some coffee," he stammered. "You don't have to go to any trouble."
    Jupiter gave a wave of dismissal at his concerns. "It's no trouble at all. I love cooking. Even if the ingredients are a bit..." She picked up a vegetable that looked like a cross between a red pepper and a tomato and eyed it critically. "...unusual."
    Harry got the feeling that any further attempts to dissuade her would be futile. In their own way, they could be as single minded as Seven. "Okay. I admit I'm hungry enough to have a bowl of Neelix's leola root stew without complaining." He watched her go to work for a few minutes, and he had to admit to himself that it certainly looked like she knew what she was doing. Casting a quick glance back at the others, he asked her, "By the way, did something happen in engineering? Venus just seems a little more subdued than the last time I saw her."
    "Well, after we beat those aliens out of the engine room, she tried to help out in the repairs. Seven and I both tried to stop her, but once she gets an idea in her head..." Jupiter hesitated. "Let's just say 
that things didn't go too well and then..." She shrugged helplessly.
    "I think I can fill in the rest," Harry said. "I know what B'Elanna's temper can be like."
    "Yeah. There's no one that can yell at you quite like a Klingon."
    Harry could only nod in agreement to that. Leaving her to her work, he went over to the table. "Hi, Harry," Venus said. "Feeling better?"
    "A little bit," he said. "I just came here for a cup of coffee and try and get a little bit of work done."
    "Oh?" Venus leaned over and glanced at the padd. "What're you working on?"
    "A way to block the aliens from teleporting onto Voyager," he said. Tapping a control on the padd, he immediately launched into a highly technical explanation as to the ideas he had along those lines. 
Venus feigned attention, pretending to understand even though she was lost almost from the first word.
    While Harry was trying to explain his ideas, Mercury entered the mess hall and sat wearily at the table. "Finally finish in sickbay, Mercury?" asked Sailor Moon.
    "Yes. Fortunately, most of the cases we had weren't serious." After a moment she amended this, "Except for Captain Janeway."
    "How is the captain?" Harry asked.
    "There's very little change, I'm afraid. She still remains unconscious, and there's still no discernable cause." She gave a helpless shrug. "I've got no idea on what to do to treat her, and neither does the Doctor."
    Sailor Moon noted the look of anxiety that crossed Harry's face. Trying for a moment to put her own worries aside, she reassured him, "Don't worry, Harry. I'm sure she'll be fine."

    The Doctor eyed the latest readings he took of the captain intently, but not so much that he didn't see a burst of movement out of the corner of his eye. Getting up from his desk, he shifted his gaze to the biobeds and his jaw dropped in amazement. "Captain Janeway!" The hologram moved rapidly out of his office and over to the biobed, where Captain Janeway was now sitting upright. "I must say I'm delighted to see you're up and about. I just wish it were the result of my medical expertise."
    "I'm sure you did your best, Doctor," Janeway remarked, sliding off the table.
    The Doctor started to perform a scan on her but when she started for the doors, he interposed himself in her way. "And just where do you think you're going?"
    "To the bridge." The captain regarded him with a somewhat annoyed expression. "Is there any reason why I shouldn't?"
    "Yes," the hologram responded somewhat indignantly. "I haven't released you yet."
    Janeway placed her hands on her hips. "Is there something wrong with me, Doctor? Do you have any indication that I may be unable to perform my duties as captain?"
    "Well..." The Doctor's voice trailed off reluctantly. Ever since the captain had been brought to sickbay from the bridge, her readings had been normal. So officially, he had no reason to hold her here, now that she had recovered. But he still wanted to be sure what it was that caused that double EEG reading that Mercury and Paris had detected. "No," he finally admitted. "But I would still would like to run some tests. You exhibited some very odd EEG readings earlier, and I would like to make certain that there are no lasting repercussions."
    "So what you're saying is that I appear to be perfectly healthy," Janeway said. She continued speaking as she headed for the exit. "Doctor, after this is all over, I'll be glad to let you conduct all the 
tests you want. But until then I've got a ship to run. We've still got to complete repairs, make preparations to return to our universe and find a way to rescue the away team and the crew the aliens abducted."
    Shaking his head after she left, the Doctor went over to his office to update his medical files. He was able to do most of this by rote, which enabled part of him to wonder just what it was that drove ship's captains to extreme measures at the expense of their own health. Thus several minutes went by before it struck him. "Wait a minute... how did she know that we had left our own universe? Or that the aliens had captured some of the crew?"
    He may be a hologram, but that didn't prevent him from getting a bad feeling about this...

    "...I must say that all this creeping around is giving me a bad feeling," Neelix said. The assorted crew of Voyager had spent the last half an hour proceeding as quietly as they could through a series of tunnels inside the citadel. After they had emerged from the cellblock, Tuvok had led them to a concealed entrance. "Are you sure we're going in the right direction, Commander?"
    "Not with absolute precision, but I believe I made a reasonable estimate," Tuvok replied.
    "In other words, you're guessing," Tuxedo Mask noted.
    Tuvok arched an eyebrow. "Your supposition is illogical. Vulcans do not guess."
    "I don't care if you went on a vision quest first, Tuvok," Chakotay noted. "Just so long as you're right."
    "Regrettably, the information I obtained from the guard's mind regarding these tunnels was imprecise," Tuvok said. "Apparently knowledge of their existence is restricted to Metallah and her elite guard. They are used to move the higher echelons of this society quickly in and about the citadel. However, for me to obtain greater knowledge of their layout would have required a more intimate meld. And as even a low level meld proved," the Vulcan suppressed a shudder, "unsettling, that is an experience I would rather avoid."
    "Whatever. I just hope we find an exit soon." Tuxedo Mask cast a glance backwards, but saw no sign of any pursuit. Which was fortunate, as the escapees were crowded closely together in the tunnel. "We're pushing our luck as it is."
    Tuvok rounded a corner, then paused before looking back at Tuxedo Mask. "Would now be soon enough?" he asked, gesturing to what could only be a door a few meters further down the corridor.
    Moving ahead, Chakotay cautiously opened the door and gazed outside the citadel. The forest beyond seemed peaceful enough, but that had been the case just before their capture by the Negarans. But if luck was with them this time, the Negarans wouldn't be so quick to locate them. He took a moment to determine which of the escapees other than the away team was senior. He was gratified to see that it was Ensign Lambert, who had been an expert at stealth tactics in the Maquis. "Take the others outside and find a good spot to hide," he told. "The four of us are going to scout inside, try and find out what the Negarans are up to and how to put a monkey wrench in their plans. When we're ready, we'll find you."
    "Yes, sir," Lambert replied. Looking ruefully into the brush, he commented, "I just hope the Negarans don't find us first."
    Chakotay smiled. "Don't worry. It shouldn't be any worse than that time on Cetris III."
    "On Cetris III, we at least had phasers to use against the Cardassians," Lambert countered.
    "Unfortunately, we're not dealing with the Cardassians right now. And considering how invulnerable these beings are to phasers, I doubt it'd make much difference right now if you had any," the first officer pointed out.
    Lambert could only nod at this. Gesturing to the others, he silently led them into the underbrush. Chakotay watched until he lost sight of them which, given the density of the forest, wasn't long at all. "Let's go," he told the others while closing the entrance. "Tuvok, take point."
    The Vulcan nodded and started towards the inner sections of the citadel, Tuxedo Mask beside him. Listening carefully for any signs of pursuit, Chakotay and Neelix brought up the rear of the party. 

    Tom absently noted the turbolift opening, but paid it no mind. Seated in the command chair, his attention was firmly on the captain's console as he read the latest repair updates. Thus he was unaware that he was being approached until... "Mr. Paris, I think you're in my seat," Janeway noted with an air of mild reproach.
    Startled, he bolted to his feet. "Captain! I'm glad to see you." He gestured sheepishly at the command chair. "Sorry about-"
    Janeway waved off his apology. "Forget it, Tom. Given the circumstances, it was appropriate that you'd use the big chair. What's our status?"
    "Not bad, all things considering," Tom replied. "Main power and warp engines are back online, but B'Elanna is still working on the impulse engines. We've still got some secondary system damage, such as the replicators, but repair teams are working on those too."
    "Good," Janeway said. "What about our guests?"
    "We captured about forty of the intruders. That's too many to hold in the brig, so I had them locked up in cargo bay one behind a level eight forcefield... and under guard by a security team." A rueful smile came to his face. "Those we got left, that is. A good many of our security teams were captured when the other intruders teleported off the ship."
    "Don't worry, Tom. We'll get them back," Janeway reassured him. "Actually though, when I asked about our guests, I was referring to the Sailor Scouts."
    "Right." Tom took a moment to think about that. The last few hours had been hectic, but he was reasonably sure he knew the answer. "The last I knew, they were in the mess hall."
    Janeway nodded. "Good. Let's both go down there, and you can introduce me to them."

    "...so one of the first things we need to do is find a way to block their teleport ability," Janeway was saying as she entered the mess hall.
    "That could be tricky. We just don't know that much about how they're doing it," Tom said, following the captain inside.
    "Hopefully the answer lies inside the sensor logs. We should get Seven and Harry working on analyzing them. Speaking of Harry..." Janeway moved over to the table Harry was seated. As they approached, the Scouts became aware of them, Mercury blinking in surprise at seeing Captain Janeway up and about. "Mr. Kim, I'm glad to see you're feeling better."
    "Likewise, Captain. The way Sailor Mercury was talking when she came in, I wasn't sure you were ever going to recover." He gestured to the adjacent table. "I don't know if Tom told you about them..."
    "I've been brought up to date, Ensign."
    "Then you know that these are the Sailor Scouts that Seven told us about." Going around the table, Harry introduced each of the four present to Janeway.
    "Welcome to Voyager," Janeway said after he had finished. "First, I'd like to thank you for your help in our recent crisis." She turned her gaze to Sailor Moon, her expression taking on a sympathetic hue. 
"Tom told me about the abduction of Tuxedo Mask by our adversaries. Let me assure you that all the resources I have available to me are at your disposal in getting him back."
    "Thank you, Captain," Sailor Moon replied.
    "By the way, Harry, I thought I told you to get some rest," Tom admonished him. Then he sniffed appreciably at the tray of food in front of the ensign. "And since when did you become a cook?"
    "I am resting," Harry countered. "As for the food..." He gestured towards the kitchen. Janeway and Paris glanced over there. Jupiter was busy preparing dishes for a couple of other crewmen that had entered. "You have Sailor Jupiter to thank for that."
    "I just hope she's a better cook than Neelix," Tom commented.
    "Are you kidding?" Sailor Moon interjected. In stark contrast to her earlier mood, her eyes lit up brightly as she gushed about Lita's past creations.
    "She's not exaggerating, Tom. Give it a try," Harry said.
    Taking the proffered fork, Tom took a sample from Harry's plate. Instantly his eyes lit up. "That's great!"
    "Told ya," Sailor Moon said, grinning broadly.
    "Don't get spoiled by it, gentlemen," Janeway cautioned them. "Sooner or later, we're going to have to go our separate ways."
    "Maybe we can make a trade," Paris suggested. "Jupiter can take over here as ship's cook, while Neelix can fill in for her spot in the Sailor Scouts."
    The Scouts faces instantly showed varying degrees of shock at Tom's suggestion. But before Janeway could respond, Harry spoke up. "I don't think so, Tom," he said, continuing the joke, "The last thing any of us need to see is Neelix in a skirt that short."

    Tuvok paused at a tunnel intersection, his Vulcan ears straining for sounds of anyone approaching while he looked down one passage. Beside him, Tuxedo Mask was looking down the other direction. Even so, it was Neelix who heard the sounds of someone approaching before Tuxedo Mask saw the first indications of movement from that direction. Moving quickly, the escapees moved back several paces to a place of concealment. There they waited for whoever else was in the tunnel to pass by. Tuvok raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw that it was none other than Metallah herself.
    "Interesting," Neelix commented. "I wonder what she's up to."
    "I'd like to know that myself," Chakotay said. With that, he started to stealthily follow the Negaran monarch, his companions doing likewise. After what seemed like an eternity, they came to the entrance to a large chamber in what must have been the lowest levels of the Citadel. Crouching at the entrance, the four of them watched as Metallah approached a large container-like object. Inside it they could see pure energy swirling about in several different colors. 
    Tuxedo Mask frowned. There was something about this room that seemed familiar to him. After a few moments, the hazy memory came to him and he involuntarily shuddered.
    Standing now in front of the large container, Metallah began speaking in her native language, her head bowed in obvious deference to whatever was inside. As she didn't have her translator with her, the four of them couldn't understand her. So it came as some surprise when a voice emerged from it, "I am deeply disappointed, Metallah. Containing a group of unarmed prisoners should have been easy." Metallah grew agitated, almost terrified. "No matter. Voyager will return for them in any event." 
    Then in a tone that was laced with unmistakable menace, "Make sure you don't fail me when it does return." Nodding, Metallah scurried from the room.
    Seeing she was leaving, the four moved quickly themselves to a safe distance and waited for Metallah to leave. Chakotay looked around the small group. "Any thoughts about what we just saw?"
    "I'm not sure it means anything," Tuxedo Mask responded, "but that room was almost identical to the chamber the Negaforce resided in back in the Negaverse."
    "You're certain?" Chakotay asked.
    "Yeah. Except for one thing: the voice was different."
    "Was it really speaking?" Neelix asked. "I thought I 'heard' it in my head."
    "Mr. Neelix is correct," Tuvok said. "Though Metallah was speaking in her native tongue, the presence was responding telepathically. Our proximity allowed us to perceive what it was saying to her. Undoubtably it is a high order telepath, even if the thought patterns I sensed were of a human nature."
    "Human?"
    "Yes, Commander. I am quite certain."
    "Human though patterns inside something that acts like the Negaforce? How could that happen?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
    "I don't know," Chakotay said. "But I don't think we'll like the answer."
    "Do you think it sensed us?" Neelix asked.
    Tuvok shook his head. "I do not believe so. It's attention at the moment was firmly fixed on Metallah. But it would be prudent to leave the vicinity."
    "Agreed," Chakotay put in. "And it's time we started taking some action of our own."
    "Like what?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
    "Locating our equipment, for one. Especially our communicators." He cast a glance back towards the chamber. "Because like that voice said, sooner or later Voyager will be back for us. And I intend to be ready to help them any way I can."

    Note: Spock uses of the mind meld to escape a prison can be found in the Classic Trek episodes "A Taste of Armageddon" and "By Any Other Name"

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Sailor Trek: Voyager
By Bill Harris
Chapter 6 -- Back to the Delta Quadrant!
PG13

    Artemis slowly opened his eyes, and watched Luna pacing. His own sense of annoyance grew with turn she made. "Luna, will you stop that? You're going to wear a rut in the ground a mile deep... And that'll get Raye really miffed at you."
    "I don't care," the black cat retorted hotly. She stopped, only to turn and begin another round of pacing. "They've been gone for hours without any word. What could've happened to them?!"
    "Stop worrying, Luna. I'm sure they're fine," Artemis replied without much conviction. "And no doubt that whatever they're up to, they're probably not as bored as we are."

    Sailor Moon yawned. "Geez, don't those three ever get tired?"
    "It doesn't look like it," Venus answered, stifling a yawn herself. 
    "But I can't imagine Seven ever getting tired. Borg can probably go on like that for hours."
    "Days," Mars corrected her. "And Harry is probably a lot like Amy when he gets his nose into a problem- just keeps digging at it until he comes up with the solution."
    The other two nodded as they watched Harry Kim, Seven of Nine and Mercury continue to work together in Voyager's Astrometrics lab. They had come here shortly after meeting with Captain Janeway in the mess hall, as the Captain had been most anxious to put together a means of blocking 
the aliens' teleporting abilities. But they had very little to do themselves, other than watch them work. Even the holodecks were out of the question, as they had been shut down to conserve power until repairs were complete to all systems. Jupiter was the lucky one, Mars mused. She at least was being kept busy in the mess hall. Janeway had felt that her working there would be good for the crew's morale. Thinking of Voyager's captain sparked another thought in Raye's head and she muttered, "I still can't figure it."
    "Huh?" Sailor Moon gave her an odd look. "What'd you say, Mars?"
    Mars shook herself. "I was just thinking about Captain Janeway, and how odd it was she just woke up like that."
    "Tell me about it," Venus put in. "I think that was the most surprised I'd seen Amy get in quite a while."
    "Yeah." Sailor Moon glanced over at Mars. "Are you sure..."
    "I know what I sensed, Serena," Mars snapped. Anyone else listening would have assumed Mars was being harsh to Sailor Moon. But the Scouts, and Sailor Moon in particular, knew that Mars was simply expressing her own frustration at the current situation "I know there was another intelligence inside her head when I saw her in the ready room. And it wasn't there when she showed up in the mess hall."
    "Maybe it just left?" Venus suggested lamely.
    Mars shook her head. "Doesn't fit with classic case possessions. Beings like that don't just leave, they have to be driven out. Or somehow be convinced to leave." She frowned. "But that doesn't matter 
right now. What does matter is getting over to their universe and getting Tuxedo Mask out of whatever cell those Negacreeps have thrown him in."

    Neelix peered carefully around the corner. Just as Tuvok has said, there was only one guard at this room. As to what was inside... well, there was only one way to find out.
    The small group had been making their way through Metallah's fortress, carefully exploring the layout. Thus far they had yet to find any of their equipment or gain further information, but on the plus side they had eluded capture as well. Of course, every now and then they had to confront a few Negarans but they had quickly developed a few routines to handle them. One of which Neelix now put into play.
    Trying to appear nonchalant, he strolled around the corner. The guard noticed him instantly and crouched into a defensive position. 
    "Excuse me, but would you happen to know the way to the kitchen?"
    Not understanding Neelix and not really caring, the guard chose to reply with actions and not words. Neelix moved quickly to one side to avoid the incoming energy blast. "Well if you're going to be nasty about it, I'll just find it on my own." With that, the Talaxian darted back around the corner, avoiding another blast. Predictably the Negaran moved quickly to follow Neelix... and ran face first right into Tuxedo Mask's cane. The guard went flying into the nearby wall and fell unmoving to the ground.
    Chakotay nodded. "Good work, you two."
    "Anytime," the tuxedo clad warrior answered.
    "Glad to be of service, Commander," Neelix added while Chakotay and Tuvok grabbed the guard and dragged towards the door he had been guarding. 
    Tuxedo Mask got there ahead of them and took a moment to listen, then slowly opened it and peered inside. Satisfied the room beyond was unoccupied, he nodded to the two officers and they moved the unconscious Negaran inside.
    "This looks like a lab of some sort," he said.
    Tuvok concurred with this after he had a moment to observe the room for himself. "Agreed." He took a step over to a table that had several very familiar looking pieces of equipment on it. Picking up one of the phasers he said, "I believe Mr. Paris would say 'we hit the jackpot' at this point."

    "So how are we doing?" Janeway asked, noting to herself Astrometrics was more crowded than it had ever been with all of the Sailor Scouts and the remainder of Voyager's senior staff present. Being that it was bigger than the normal briefing room, it made sense to her to hold their overall strategy session here.
    "I think we've got it, Captain," Harry answered, looking rather pleased with himself.
    Seven looked at Harry askance before putting in, "We have made sufficient progress."
    "Well, I'm glad you're both in agreement," the captain noted dryly. "So what have you three come up with?"
    Harry tapped on a control, bringing up a graphic on a nearby screen. "From the sensor logs and Mercury's scans, we've determined that the aliens transit through subspace when they teleport. So what we've come up with is using the main deflector dish to generate a modulated subspace pulse that will prevent them from materializing on Voyager."
    "Ensign Kim is exaggerating the effectiveness of the plan," Seven said. "Our simulations show that will block eighty five percent of the teleports onto the ship. Some of the aliens will get through."
    "Maybe they will, but you can rest assured that they won't be able to do much," the Doctor told her. He turned to Janeway. "Based on the autopsy I conducted, I determined that the aliens are capable of storing several minutes of oxygen. Combined with their chitinous skin, this makes them able to operate in a vacuum for extended periods. What I've done is lace our standard anti-intruder gases with a compound that will cause the anestazine to be absorbed through the skin, thus rendering our unwanted guests unconscious."
    "Sounds good. Excellent work, everyone. Now the only question to answer is, how do we get back to the Delta Quadrant?" Janeway turned and faced her chief engineer. "We triggered the transition accidentally, but the Enterprises were able to traverse the flux under their own power. Can we do the same?"
    "We could," B'Elanna responded in a very uncertain tone, "but I wouldn't recommend it. When we crossed over the last time, it crippled the ship. Even doing so in a controlled way like the Enterprise would drain a significant portion of main power. And considering that we'll be materializing over hostile territory, that's not something I think you want to do. It would render the countermeasures we've developed ineffective."
    "Then do you have any other suggestions?" the captain asked.
    B'Elanna hesitated momentarily, but before she could indicate a negative answer, Mercury spoke up. "I think Sailor Moon could open it up for you."
    The blonde seemed stunned for a moment. "Me?"
    Mercury nodded. "Yes. You can use the Silver Crystal to open the rift through the quantum flux. Voyager should then be able to traverse it without any degradation to their power systems."
    "What about you and your friends?" Janeway asked, indicating the other Scouts and by extension, Tuxedo Mask. "I don't want to leave you stranded in the Delta Quadrant."
    "I wouldn't worry," the blue haired Scout responded. "I think we can use the Sailor Teleport to get back. As a worse case scenario, Voyager could bring us back, then return to the Delta Quadrant."
    "Good," Janeway said. "Then it looks like we're ready."
    "Um, excuse me," Sailor Moon said hesitantly. "But ready for what?"
    "To go back to the Delta Quadrant," she replied. "And get our people out of danger." Around the room there were several nods of approval, and more than one vocal ones from the Scouts.
    "You realize, Captain, that the aliens will most likely attack the ship the moment we return," Seven said.
    Mars glowered at the Borg. "One in every crowd," she muttered.
    "No doubt they will," Janeway agreed. "Which is why Voyager isn't going to linger around. Instead, the ship will make for orbit and once there will go to warp. But before that happens, we'll launch a shuttle bearing a rescue team. They'll land on the planet, infiltrate the aliens' headquarters and break our people out. After that, they'll take care of the Negaforce."
    "Launching a shuttle like that is going to be a tricky maneuver, Captain," Paris pointed out.
    "I know, Tom. And while I may be a fair pilot, that's why you'll be accompanying me on this mission."
    Paris frowned. "You? Then who...?"
    "Ensign Kim will be in command of Voyager until our return," Janeway said, interrupting him.
    "Me?!?" Harry exclaimed.
    "Him?!?" Mars said equally forceful. Venus gave her a quick elbow in the stomach, prompting her to glare at the blonde instead.
    "With all due respect, Captain, why are you coming along with the away team?" Tom asked, ignoring the minor glaring contest. "Shouldn't you remain on the bridge?" 
    Janeway shook her head. "Not this time, Tom. My place is with the rescue team." She held up a hand to forestall further objection. "The decision's made, Tom. I'm going on this mission, and since you're our best pilot, that means you are as well. Prepare the Shepard for launch." When Tom didn't move right away she added, "That's an order, Lieutenant."
    "Aye, Captain," the helmsman said reluctantly and exited the room. Janeway took a step towards Ensign Kim, an expression of sympathy on her face. "I'm sorry to put you in this position, Harry, but you've done all right in the big chair before. I think you can handle it again."
    Harry understood what Janeway was saying and that she was trying to bolster his confidence; but he couldn't help but feel nervous at the prospect. "I'll try not to let you down, Captain."
    For their part, the Scouts could only exchange uncertain looks. It was apparent to them that the crew thought it was a bad idea for Janeway to leave the ship when so many of the senior officers were absent. But it equally apparent that Janeway was adamant on going along for reasons that only she knew. They could only hope the she knew what she was doing.

    Tom was just finishing up the preflight checklist of the Shepard when he sensed someone seating themselves in the copilot's chair. Looking up, he saw that it was B'Elanna. "Are the accommodations for our passengers all set?"
    "We've got the extra seats installed," she replied, then glance briefly at the pilot's console. "Did the shuttle pass preflight?"
    "Yep," he said, nodding. "Everything checks out A-okay."
    "It had better," she said, a mock edge in her voice. "We just finished working on it last week."
    Tom couldn't help but grin. "Getting a bit sensitive about our work, are we?"
    "Sensitive, hell," she retorted. "I'm just getting sick of having to rebuild the things after you pilots abuse them."
    "Don't worry," Tom assured her, choosing not to press the issue. "This one will hold together."
    "If it doesn't, it won't be because of the engines. I just ran a level three diagnostic on them." She turned upon hearing someone enter the shuttle. Seeing it was Janeway, she got up. "I better go." She placed a hand on his arm, prompting him to look at her. "Good luck, Tom."
    There wasn't much need for words between them, but still he said, "Thanks. I'll see you when I get back."
    B'Elanna started her way to the door, but froze in midstride when she saw Venus standing there. But after only a half second delay, she continued on, stopping in front of the blonde Sailor Scout. "Look, I..."
    Venus interrupted her. "He means a lot to you," she said, indicating Paris. "I saw the way you two were talking with each other."
    B'Elanna took a backward glance, then faced her again. "Yes, he does. It... took me a long time to admit it to myself, and even longer to tell him. But yes, I love him."
    Venus smiled. "I knew it! " she said, ecstatic. "But it was bound to happen, given how long you've got to get home."
    "Bound to happen?" B'Elanna asked.
    "Well... not you two in general, just couples forming in general," she replied hastily. "You and Tom, Harry and Seven..." Her voice trailed off. "I'll have to make sure he knows how she feels before we have to part company."
    B'Elanna could almost feel her jaw dropping. "Make sure Harry knows?!?" As far as she knew, the attraction was strictly one way... Harry's. It fact, she was positive that Seven had no feelings toward 
Harry in that or any other regard.
    But it seemed that Venus thought otherwise. "Yep. But don't worry, just leave it all to me," she replied happily, before starting to make her way to her own seat.
    B'Elanna grabbed her arm, halting her progress. "Look, about what I said to you in Engineering..."
    "Forget it," she replied, smiling broadly and continuing on to her seat. "That's water over the bridge."

    As Jupiter stepped inside, it struck her that the interior of the shuttle was not all that different from the Galileo. Of course, the Shepard was much more modern looking than a shuttlecraft from Captain 
Kirk's era. It also seemed to be uncomfortably close to that of an airplane for her taste.
    Taking a deep breath, she tried to put aside her apprehensions. Too much was riding on the success of this for her to be paralyzed by old fears.

    Mars settled in her seat behind Paris, wondering once again why Starfleet crew didn't have seatbelts on their seats. She took a glance at Janeway, who was talking to the others on her way to her own seat in the copilot's position. On the surface she couldn't sense anything unusual about the captain of Voyager, but her own instincts told her that something was up. Whatever it was, she just hoped that they didn't end up regretting coming to this ship.

    Mercury sat down in her own seat, toward the rear of the shuttle cabin. A casual observer would simply have seen her focus her attention on her palmtop, but in reality she was thinking about something the Doctor had told her just before boarding. "I hope you won't be needing this information," the hologram had told her, "but given the double EEG pattern you and Lt. Paris detected from the Captain earlier, it's possible that some external entity has an influence over her. If you think that she is not acting in the best interest of the ship or crew, you should inform the ranking officer immediately."
    "But I don't have any formal training in those areas," she objected. "How will I know if she is not acting on her own volition?"
    "Use your own judgment, and report that to the senior officer around," the Doctor had advised her. "It will be up to them on whether or not to relieve the Captain of command."

    Sailor Moon tried to relax in her seat, just opposite of Mars and right behind where Captain Janeway was to sit in the copilot's chair. She found it hard to do, as anxious as she was to go an rescue Darien, but a glance to her left at Mars helped settle her. A look at the Sailor Scout of the red planet helped settle her nerves and reinforce her resolve. They would get Darien back and destroy whatever remained of the Negaforce, once and for all.

    Janeway took a glance at the shuttle system readouts she took her seat. "We've got the modified phasers stored aboard for our missing crew," she noted as she sat down, satisfied at what she saw. Even so she still asked the pilot, "So how are we doing, Tom?"
    "All systems go, Captain. We're ready when you give the word."
    "Then consider the word given. Janeway to bridge."
    "Kim here."
    "We're all set down here, Mr. Kim. Put Voyager in position to make the crossover."
    "Understood, Captain," Harry said. Glancing to his right, 
    "B'Elanna, stand by to engage ascent sequence."
    "Acknowledged," the half Klingon officer replied. "Rigging systems for atmospheric maneuvering."
    Harry turned to the tactical station. "Sound Code Blue."
    Graves nodded and triggered the shipwide intercom. "All personnel, go to Blue Alert and report to Code Blue stations." All around the bridge the alert lights started flashing blue.
    "Atmospheric thrusters on stand by," Seven reported from the Operations station. "Inertial dampeners are at maximum."
    "All decks report Code Blue, sir," Graves said.
    "Helm, take us up," Harry ordered. On screen, they could see the polar ice field begin to recede as the ship gained altitude.
    "Retracting landing struts," the helm officer reported. "Our altitude is holding steady at one kilometer. We're in position to initiate dimensional transfer."
    "Good," Harry replied. But before he could proceed any further, a sensor alarm started to sound.
    "Two aircraft are approaching," Seven said after checking the readouts.
    "Identification?"
    It was a moment before the Borg could reply. "Computer identifies them as US Navy F-14 fighters. Range is eighty five kilometers and closing."
    "Great," Harry muttered. It was bad enough that Voyager had been photographed during their brief visit to their own Earth's twentieth century. Who knew what would happen if those planes got an up close and personal look at the ship here. "We better get out of her before they can get a good look at us. Shields up."

    Janeway swiveled her seat around. "I hate to have to rush you, Sailor Moon, but as you can see..." She gestured helplessly at the sensor panel.
    "Gotcha," Sailor Moon replied. "Don't worry, Captain, I'll have us out of here in a jiffy!"

    "We should be able to get a look at them," the weapons officer of the lead F-14 said.
    "About time," the pilot replied. Both he and his wingman had been flying in a training mission over Alaska when they had been diverted to this target, first reported by a reconnaissance satellite overflying the Arctic. It had taken them many hours and two meeting with tanker aircraft to refuel in midair.
    But finally they were in position to get a look at the target, which their radar showed to be airborne now. Activating the F-14's inbuilt TV system, he trained it on the target. "What the hell is that?" he said, getting a good look at Voyager.
    "I don't know," his back seater replied, "but the radar signal from it is getting all fuzzy. They must have some form of stealth system."
    "Get on the horn back to base. Let them know we have visual contact and- whoa!" The pilot instinctively shielded his eyes as the monitor flared brilliantly. A moment later it cleared and he was 
able to look at it again. "What the...?"
    "You see anything?" the back-seater asked. "It's not showing up on radar anymore."
    "I could've sworn there was something there a second ago," the pilot said, "but now..." He moved the nose about, trying to relocate the mystery object, but the sky around them was clear. "Nothing could've moved that fast."
    "Hey, I don't track mirages," the weapons officer retorted, sounding mildly offended.
    The pilot shrugged. "Well, it's not there anymore. We'll just mark it down as another UFO."

    A universe away, a similar burst of light briefly illuminated the skies over Negara and then faded to reveal an Intrepid class starship. Voyager was once again above the Delta Quadrant planet.
    "We have completed the transition successfully," Seven announced. "So far we appear to be unnoticed..." The deck trembled slightly under their feet. "Correction: we have been noticed," she noted.
    "I think we all figured that out," B'Elanna replied rather testily.
    "Have they got ahold of us?" Harry asked her.
    The engineer took a moment to examine her readouts. "No. The warp field the engines are generating is deflecting over ninety percent of the beam. We're clear to maneuver."
    "Then let's get the hell out of here. Helm, take us up. Best speed."
    Outside, the noise from Voyager's thrusters increased dramatically as the ship began gaining altitude. In moments it had entered the upper reaches of the atmosphere, allowing the ship to engage it's impulse engines. "We have reached launch altitude," Seven reported as the ship now gained height dramatically. "Shuttle bay doors are open and the Shepard reports ready to lift off."
    Harry nodded. "Shuttle Shepard: You're clear to launch." He turned to Ensign Graves. "Let's give them some cover. Set main phasers to wide field dispersal pattern and open fire."
    "Yes, sir." Complying with the order, she triggered a burst from nearly all of Voyager's phaser banks. The wide field energy discharge severely ionized the atmosphere in their area, creating a large distortion. Simultaneously, the shuttle leapt from the bay and started to descend rapidly.

    In the maze of tunnels beneath the citadel, Tuxedo Mask came to a abrupt halt. Chakotay managed to stop himself just before colliding with him. "What's wrong?" he asked, watching the other gaze at the ceiling.
    "She's here," he replied in a distant voice.
    "Who?" Chakotay asked again. Then in a flash of insight he guessed, "Do you mean Sailor Moon?"
    Tuxedo Mask blinked, seemingly coming back to reality. "Yes, Commander. She's here, in this universe."
    "If Sailor Moon has crossed over to our universe, the logical assumption is that Voyager has returned with her," Tuvok opined.
    If so, there was an easy way to confirm that, Chakotay reasoned to himself. "Chakotay to Voyager," the first officer said, tapping his comm badge. However, no response was forthcoming. "The signal must be blocked by the structure down here. Let's get to the surface."

    "The Shepard has entered the troposphere. Our own altitude is four hundred forty seven point two kilometers," Seven reported. "We are clear to go to warp."
    "Good," Harry said, nodding. "It looks like everything's going according to plan. Helm, plot a course to a point a half light year outside the system and engage at warp eight. Seven, launch the relay probe."
    "Yes sir."
    Outside, the warp nacelles elevated to their flight configuration and Voyager accelerated to supralight speeds. But just before it entered warp, Seven was able to deploy a small probe into a high orbit to serve as a communications relay.

    Sailor Moon gulped, looking out the window as the planet surface below rushed up towards them. Despite the inertial dampeners, she could almost feel the shuttle freefall downward. Tom had said they would get down to just above the planet surface quickly so they could approach unseen, but still... "Do you mind slowing down a little? I think I left my stomach back in orbit."
    Tom grinned. "Don't worry about it. Everything's under control. Just sit back and enjoy the ride." Even as he said this, he eased their rate of descent and brought the shuttle onto a more level flight path. There were several sighs of relief from behind him.
    Which promptly stopped when an alarm sounded from the sensors. 
    "Tom, we have three large energy bolts on an intercept course."
    "That's not good, right?" Sailor Moon asked.
    "Definitely not," Mercury stated. "It means we're under attack."
    "I was afraid you were going to say that."
    Janeway wasn't paying any attention to the banter behind her. "Shields are up, and I'm arming weapons."
    "Everyone hang on back there," Tom said. "Evasive maneuvers!"

    Tuxedo Mask stiffened suddenly. They had emerged from the fortress not long ago, and had been making their way through the dense and dark forest surrounding it. "No!"
    "What is it?" Chakotay asked. "What's wrong?"
    "She's in danger," he replied, looking skyward. "Grave danger." He continued looking skyward for a second or two before taking off on a dead run.
    Chakotay didn't hesitate, "Tuvok, Neelix: find the others and home in on my comm badge." Not waiting for a reply, he started off into the forest after Tuxedo Mask.
    "Well, Mr. Vulcan, I guess it's just the two of us," Neelix observed as the other two moved off into the darkness. Deciding against making any reply, Tuvok led the Talaxian off to locate the other Voyager crewmen on Negara.

    Paris worked the helm, twisting the shuttle about is a desperate bid to elude the onrushing bolts. It seemed he was successful, as the three energy bolts passed close by. "So far, so good."
    "Not really," Mercury warned. Her attention was fixed on her computer. "Those energy bolts are altering their course. They must be homing in on the shuttle."
    "Oh, great," Mars snapped. "I thought the idea was to land without them detecting us."
    Tom shrugged. "Nobody's perfect."
    "Can you stay ahead of them, Tom?" Janeway asked.
    "One way to find out. Hang on!" Tom said as he shifted the shuttle's course sharply to port, putting a tremendous strain on the inertial dampeners. The resulting g-forces tried to fling them all to the right side of the shuttle, triggering several gasps of shock from the passengers and one outright shriek of terror from Sailor Moon. 
    From the outside they could all hear the groan from the engine nacelles as the atmospheric pressures threatened to tear them free from their housings. But this time the evasive maneuver didn't work, for the homing missiles turned with the Shepard and slammed into it's shields.
    "We're hit!" Janeway exclaimed somewhat unnecessarily as the shuttle rocked violently. Several control panels exploded into a shower of sparks and those inside felt the deck start to pitch downward at a sharper angle. The captain took a look at the main diagnostic panel to her right, most of the indicators on it glowing a bright red. Not a good sign. "We're on emergency reserve power. Just about all major systems are offline, along with a good many emergency systems."
    Tom desperately worked the controls, but as yet there wasn't any response from any of them. "I've got no thruster controls."
    The ground was looming closer in the window as the shuttle careened downward. "We're gonna crash!" yelled Sailor Moon.

    Tuvok looked up from his tricorder. According to the readings, the other Voyager crewmembers should be nearby but he was unable to see them. "Mr. Lambert." The was a rustling in the undergrowth nearby, and Lambert stepped out into the open. Tuvok nodded in approval. "Excellent camouflage, Mr. Lambert."
    "Thank you, Commander," the former Maquis answered, smiling broadly. "What's up?"
    "We have reason to believe that a rescue party has been dispatched from Voyager," Tuvok answered. "We-" A flare above them interrupted him, and they all cast their gaze in that direction. In the darkened sky they could see what could only be a Starfleet shuttlecraft on a rapid descent, trailing fire and debris as it did so. "It would appear that the rescue party may need rescuing themselves," Tuvok noted dryly.
    "It's going to come down not far from here," Neelix observed.
    "Indeed," the Vulcan concurred. "Alert the others, Mr. Lambert. We must make haste to that location."

    Metallah watched as the shuttle continued to fall until it fell out of view. "So much for their rescue team," she gloated. Dismissing the image with a wave of her hand, she turned to her elite guard leader. "Find the wreckage. If by chance there are any survivors... kill them."

    Keeping up with someone as nimble as Tuxedo Mask was proving nearly impossible for Chakotay. Only the density of the local plantlife was keeping his speed down to the point where the first officer could almost keep pace. Fortunately though, Tuxedo Mask stopped before Chakotay could become too winded to stay with him. Leaning heavily back against a tree to catch his breath, "Why did... you stop?"
    Tuxedo Mask didn't reply vocally, but instead pointed skyward. Chakotay looked in that direction and saw the rapidly descending shuttle. With nothing else to do, the two of them watched it descend until it passed behind a ridgeline. Chakotay could guess what was going through the other man's mind, for it was going through a part of his as well. 
    "I'm sure Tom Paris was at the helm of that shuttle. If anyone can get them down in one piece, he can."
    "I've got to get there," Tuxedo Mask replied tersely. He started to move forward, but Chakotay put a restraining hand on his shoulder first.
    "We will," he assured him. "But let's take it a little slower, okay? You might be capable of a ten thousand meter dash, but I'm not. Besides, it's not as if they can't take care of themselves. And there is such a thing as safety in numbers."
    After taking a moment to think this over, Tuxedo Mask nodded and the two of them set off at a much more reasonable pace.

    Note: the shuttle 'Shepard' is named for US Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., who passed away on 7/21/98.

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