"Chakotay..."
She looked at him and her resolve was lost, she hesitated. "Eat your dinner."
She handed him the plate, she had just filled. She managed to regain
control and they ate dinner and enjoyed the easy conversation they had
grown used to over the years. She cleared the dishes and he brought
their coffee over to the low table by the couch. As they drank their
coffee, she began to feel awkward. It was very strange, for six years
he had been her first officer and she had grown very comfortable with him---tonight
she felt a tension--uncomfortable- but not unpleasant. She recognized
it--she had fought it for years---tonight she didn't want to fight it.
She got up and went to the view port. He followed.
"Kathryn." When he
whispered her name it was a question, a plea, a demand, almost a prayer.
She felt him close behind
her, she could feel his breath when he spoke her name, it sent a shiver
down her spine. She froze, her mind whirling. Six years she
fought to control this and now she couldn't think of a single reason why.
She turned to face him, he was very close behind her. She looked
up into dark smoldering eyes, reaching her finger up to trace his tattoo.
They studied each other silently, she reached her hand behind his head,
sliding her fingers into his hair and drawing his lips to hers. She
softly brushed lips, drawing back to look into his eyes again and then
capturing his lips again. Her lips parted his, her tongue reaching out
to taste him as his arms drew her crushingly close. Mouths
locked together, hands exploring, caressing. exciting.
The klaxons blared, the
comm system called for red alert---all senior officers to the bridge.
They broke apart---breathless. It took a minute to regain composure,
she slapped her comm. badge.
"Janeway to the bridge"
They were already on their way out the door.
"Captain, we're under attack.
A ship on direct intercept ---firing weapons. Intercept in 75 seconds."
"Full power to shields,
evasive maneuvers---on my way" She took a quick breath and glance
at him. "Transporter room one--site to site--send the Commander and
I to the bridge." She received no verbal response, just the familiar
tingle of the transporter and they were on the bridge. "Report" She
yelled as the bridge rocked.
"Shields holding 98%--intercept
in 22 seconds." The lieutenant at tactical reported as she stepped
aside for Tuvok.
"Reroute all possible power
to forward shields. Tuvok target their propulsion and fire at..."
The ship impacted the forward shields, sending Voyager into a spin.
The Captain was thrown from her command chair, consoles exploded, Ensign
Hansen was knocked away from the helm and for a few precious seconds Voyager
was out of control.
"Shields down to 60%."
Tuvok held on to his station. "Locking on propulsion and firing."
"Captain they are headed
back again." Harry had taken over the ops station.
"B'Elanna send a deflector
pulse through the forward shields." The Captain ordered as she pulled
her self up at the railing. "Tom, evasive manauve...."
The ship slammed into Voyager
again, this time Tom was at the helm and managed to steady her. B'Elanna
was at the bridge engineering station hands frantically flying over her
panel, until the impact sent her across the floor. More explosions
and smoke filled the bridge. Damage reports were coming in from all
decks.
"Transporters were off
line, warp drive was down, inertial dampers were failing and shields had
fallen to 35%. Hull breaches deck 11 and 12.Causalities on all decks."
The Commander reported, as he assisted Mr. Kim at the ops station, trying
to contain the damage.
"Continuing to fire---their
shields are holding--intercept in 10 seconds."Tuvok's calm voice reported.
The Captain gripped the
railing as the ship smashed into them again, exploding with a blinding
blast that propelled Voyager backwards against the power of her own thrusters.
For a moment it was silent and then damage reports exploded across the
bridge.
When the smoke cleared,
and the damage was assessed, it was truly as bad as they had imagined.
The warp drive was down, severe damage to the port nacelle. Life support
and inertial dampers were barely functioning and only maintained because
all power from the transporters and replicator systems were rerouted to
them. There were small hull breaches on decks four, seven and eleven,
the ones on six and twelve were larger and more menacing. Power was
out on decks thirteen and fifteen and there were so many damaged circuits,
relays and conduits no one cared to count. Sick bay was overflowing
with minor injuries and several critical cases. Phasers were damaged and
shields were down to 30%.
If all the physical damage
weren't enough, they had no idea who had attacked them or why and since
the ship was destroyed with virtually nothing remaining to examine, they
probably would never know. Chakotay was organizing repairs, Tuvok
had the bridge and the Captain was in engineering, as one of the more critical
injuries had been sustained by the Chief Engineer. The helm out of
commission anyway, Tom was helping in sickbay and Harry was in engineering
with the Captain. Seven of Nine had taken a team to the lower decks
to work on repairs.
It was twenty seven hours
after the attack, when Chakotay found Kathryn under a console in engineering.
She and every other member of the senior staff, except B'Elanna who was
still in sickbay, had worked straight through since the attack.
"Captain?" Chakotay
bent down peering in at her, working in the cramped space.
"Commander, what can I
do for you?" Her exhaustion was evident in her voice.
"Could you spare me a minute?
I'd like to speak to you in B'Elanna's office."
"If it's important."
She ducked out to look at him. God he looked bad.
"I think it is---please."
"OK." She climbed
out and took the hand he offered her. He pulled her to her feet and
she followed him into the office. "What is it Chakotay?" She
looked at the desk, it held coffee and sandwiches. "Oh."
"Yes, I happen to know
it's been twenty eight hours since you ate and about forty eight since
you had any sleep."
"Chakotay, we have to get
these repairs done." She put her hands on her hips, but smiled.
"I know--I can't make you
sleep--but eat something---please."
"OK, your right---join
me?" She sat across from the desk. "Suddenly, I'm starved."
"These aren't that good,
but they will fill your belly." He laughed as he sat across from
her.
"Not bad." She garbled
with her mouth full.
"You really are starved!"
He laughed.
She sipped the coffee and
groaned. "Gods, I haven't had coffee in..."
"In twenty eight hours."
"But who's counting?"
She laughed.
"Sorry, just sticks in
my mind for----some reason." He gave her a flash of the dimples.
"THAT, we'll talk about
later." Her cheeks colored slightly.
"I'll hold you to that---was
that a bad choice of words?"
"Commander." She
gave him a warning look, but smiled. "How is B'Elanna? I haven't
even contacted the docto today---I'm not even sure what today is."
"She's doing better, he
may release her in the morning, which would be in two or three hours,
but not for duty yet. He thinks he can keep her off duty another
twenty four hours---fat chance."
"She can be stubborn, like
that."
"Just like someone else
I know."
"If you'll pass me another
coffee, I'll forget you said that." She raised and eyebrow.
"B'Elanna is the last of the causalities---isn't she?"
"Yes, everyone else has
been released." He passed her the coffee. "How are the repairs
going down here?"
"Making progress, life
support is fully functional, inertial dampers are stable for now---they'll
need more work, but they'll hold 'till we get to them. Shields are
back, we have helm control and thrusters---warp drive won't be up 'till
we do some major work on the port nacelle. A space dock would be
helpful. Phasers are operational, but I don't know for how long.
Transporters and replicators haven't even entered my mind yet." She
took a breath and shook her head. "Oh yeah, B'Elanna is gonna get
some rest---sure."
"At least she's had some
sleep, which is more than I can say for you."
"And you--have you slept?"
She leaned in to look closely. "Yes, just as I thought. How
are the other repairs going?"
"Power's still out on fifteen
and we'll be repairing circuits and relays for weeks. Breaches on
four, seven and eleven are repaired. I have teams working on the
breaches on six, which is almost finished and twelve, which is another
one of those that could use a dock. It's gonna mean a space walk to get
it finished. General clean up is just about finished, the bridge
is functional and I think if the Captain got some rest the ship would be
in better shape."
"Tell you what, it's 0500,
meet me in my quarters at 0900 and bring coffee. We can compare notes
and see where we stand, if things are under control we'll get a few hours
rest."
"Deal." He cleared
off B'Elanna's desk. "0900 it's a dat--er---appointment."
"Later, Commander."
She left smiling and was back under the console before he finished packing
up.
At 0800 B'Elanna was released
from sickbay, at 0810 she was in engineering. She conferred with
the Captain, who brought her up to speed on their status. When the
Captain left to meet Chakotay, B'Elanna promised to return to her quarters
by 1300 to rest. The Captain wasn't completely convinced, but B'Elanna
looked good, she wasn't too worried.
The Captain reached her
quarters at 0915, to find Chakotay waiting with hot coffee and some sort
of muffins. He had several padds, containing reports on various areas of
the ship, spread out on her coffee table.
"Getting so I can't come
home without finding you waiting." She commented as she entered.
"And that's a bad thing?"
He challenged, dimples in full force.
"Not always." She
went straight for the coffee. "God, I feel like I've been dragged
through a swamp--probably smell like it too." She noticed his fresh
clean uniform. "I'm gonna shower--five minutes, I promise."
She tore off a piece of
muffin and grabbed her coffee, before heading toward the bathroom.
It wasn't five, more like
fifteen minutes when she came back dressed in clean uniform pants and turtleneck.
She tossed her jacket on the chair and joined him on the couch, bringing
with her fresh coffee.
"Feeling better?"
"Much. Now what do
you have here." She leaned over the padds. When he didn't join
her she turned to find him watching her. "The idea is to go over
them and compare notes---get updated on the status of the repairs."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Is that all?" He
leaned over the padds, which brought him very close to her. "We went
over this a few hours ago--not much changed--a few morerelays replaced,
some minor repairs. What's new in engineering?"
"B'Elanna is there, she
promised not to stay too long; I don't believe her. I told her I'd
be back by 1300" She could feel him staring at her. "OK---what is
it?---what did you come here to talk about?" She sat back on the
couch and he followed.
"I think you know. What
was it that happened the last time we were here? I'm a little confused."
"I kissed you." She
smiled with pink cheeks. "I know I'm a little rusty, but--I thought
it was pretty clear."
"That much I got, what
I don't understand is why."
"I could tell you because
I wanted to and it is true ,but I'm guessing that's not what you wanna
know."
"Good guess--it's not like
you--to tease that way. Was it a momentary slip? Should I let
it go---pretend it never happened?"
"No. I can't tell you exactly
what this means, but it wasn't just a moment of weakness. I
have fought this for so long---I just can't any more." She took his
hands. "I want more from our relationship, I always have, but now----if
you still want to---I'd like to try. I can't promise this will work
out. I just know that I love you and I am tired of denying it."
She studied his face as he studied hers, they smiled at each other saying
nothing, finally she turned away. "I need to get some sleep if I'm gonna
be back in engineering in three hours." She stood up, but didn't
let go of his hand. "Are you superhuman now or do you need sleep
too?"
"Is that an invitation?"
"To sleep---yes, but not
on this couch. Are you coming?"
He got up and followed
her into the bedroom. She let go of his hand, removed her boots and
slacks and turned down the bed. She climbed in and moved across making
room for him. He stood and watched.
"You can sleep in your
boots and uniform if you want, but I don't think it will be very comfortable."
She watched him as he removed
his jacket, boots, trousers and pulling off his turtle neck joined her
in bed.
"Computer, set wake up
call for 1230 hours." She curled up on her side, snuggling close
to him.
He rolled to face her putting
his arm around her and she moved even closer. She put her hands on
his chest and buried her face between them, He felt her warm even breath
on his chest, breathed in the soft scent from her hair, as they drifted
off to sleep.
"CAPTAIN THE TIME IS 1230
HOURS. CAPTAIN THE TIME IS 1230 HOURS."
"Computer reset to normal
wake up." She smiled as she lifted her head and met his eyes.
"Hi"
"Hi" He laughed shaking
his head.
"What? Do I look
that funny when I wake up?"
"You look beautiful---but
I guess I'm not the best judge, 'cause you looked just as beautiful to
me, when you walked in a few hours ago."
"Yeah? Bet I smell
better." She laughed.
"I'll give you that one---we
both smell a damn sight better than we did this morning." He took
her in his arms laughing.
"Come on we got work to
do. She pulled back but he held her in place "What?'
"I love you." He
brought her head down and captured her lips. Soft moist lips parted,
tongues explored and caressed and they broke apart breathless.
"We have to do something,
but I'm not sure what." She smiled down at him.
"Something about a ship."
He still held her to him.
"Torres to Janeway"
"Oh---that ship."
She laughed and he hit the comm badge on her chest gently, lingering just
a little too long. "Janeway here." She moved his hand, rolling
her eyes at him.
"Captain, I'm sorry to
disturb you, but I wanted to go over somethings with you, before I go to
my quarters."
"On my way, B'Elanna---Janeway
out." She looked at the alarm on Chakotay's face, it matched what
she felt. "B'Elanna's leaving engineering? I better get down there."
She jumped up and dressed. He was right behind her.
"I don't like the sound
of that. It's not like her, even if the doctor ordered it."
"I know." She looked
worried. "Maybe we should check with the doctor."
"I'm coming with you to
engineering, let's see how she is."
When they arrived in engineering,
B'Elanna was in her office, head down on her desk. She did not look
good.
"B'Ella?" Chakotay
knelt beside the desk. "B'Ella, you OK?"
"Yeah----No, I don't think
so." She lifted her head. "Sorry, Captain."
"I shouldn't have let you
stay. Chakotay take her back to sickbay, keep me informed."
Chakotay helped B'Elanna
to her feet, but after a few steps she stumbled. He lifted
her in his arms and carried her from engineering. The Captain watched them
go, before getting back to work. Like the Captain, the crew
who witnessed them on their way to sickbay were not as surprised to see
Chakotay carry her, as they were by the fact that she allowed it.
The Captain checked with
Carey on the status of the repairs in engineering. He informed her that
Torres had felt the same way she did, warp drive was a long way off and
a dock would be nice. They still had teams working all over the ship
and since the phasers were currently holding, transporters were the next
project.
"Seven of Nine to Captain
Janeway."
"Janeway here."
"Captain, long range sensors
are picking up a possible space station in orbit around a M class."
"How far Seven?"
"At current speed---another
eight days."
"Acknowledged Seven, continue
to monitor and bring the information to the briefing room in half an hour."
"Understood, Captain, Seven
out."
"Janeway to Tuvok."
"Tuvok here, Captain."
"Mr. Tuvok, call a meeting
of the senior staff in half an hour."
"Aye Captain, Tuvok
out."
A bedraggled senior staff
filed into the briefing room and settled around the table. Harry,
Tom and Tuvok took their usual spots, Seven worked at the terminal finishing
up her data on the space station, the doctor remained in sickbay to observe
B'Elanna, so he appeared on the view screen. Nelix arrived with a
tray of coffee and sandwiches and nervously paced waiting for the Captain
and Commander to arrive.
When they did arrive, the
Captain encouraged everyone to partake of the refreshments Nelix provided,
before getting started. The first update came from the doctor, as
B'Elanna's relapse was of primary concern to everyone. He assured
them of her full recovery, but that he intended to confine her to sickbay
for at least the next forty-eight hours and off duty for longer than that.
Nelix gave a short run down on the food supplies, which were being severely
strained by the lack of replicators. Tuvok gave a run down
on security and bridge status. Now that sickbay was under control
and the helm had been restored, Tom was coaxing Voyager forward.
Harry covered the status on the repairs to his area of the ship and the
Commander reported power restored to deck fifteen. All decks now
had power and life support and so far the dampers were holding. The
Captain gave the engineering report, indicating transporters and replicators
as the next big challenge. Updated on their current condition, they
turned to Seven for her findings.
Seven had verified the
location of the spacestation. She estimated eight days at high impulse
to reach it. If they could maintain impulse that long. The station looked
promising for repairs and the planet it orbited could prove to be helpful
in relieving their supply problems. Tom was to set a course and oversee
their journey. Harry was to take a team and maintain impulse engines.
Tuvok was to oversee the bridge and arrange shift rotations which
allowed the senior staff to concentrate on other duties. The Captain
would maintain order in engineering, in B'Elanna's absence
and the Commander was to continue with the lower deck repairs.
It was 1500 hours when
the meeting was dismissed and the Captain's last order was for the entire
senior staff to be off duty by 1900 and, baring an emergency, not to return
until 0800. After assuring himself that the Captain intended to include
herself in that order, the Commander returned to duty, and the Captain
to engineering.
At 1900 hours, the Captain
was still heavily involved in repairs. It seemed that in order to
bring the transporters on line, every damned relay and conduit on the ship
would need replacement. She'd spent hours crawling through jefferies
tubes. The Commander requested her location from the computer and
set out to head her off. As he crawled across to her location, he
heard her working up ahead.
"Damn!" Her hiss was accompanied
by the unmistakable sizzling of burnt wiring and a loud thump, which sounded
strangely like a body slamming into the side of the tube.
Following the sounds, he
chuckled as he rounded the corner to find the Captain, face smudged, hair
mussed, lying on her back trying to shut down the shower of sparks that
flowed over her.
"Having fun?" He
laughed when the sound of his voice caused her to jump and hit her head.
"Nice, laugh at my pain."
She smiled at him. "What are you doing here?"
"It's time to go off duty----Captain's
orders." He pulled loose a sparking wire.
"And you're her inforcer?"
She freed the relay she was working on and replaced it with a new one.
"Here hold this, you might as well be useful." He held it in place while
she rewired it.
"If you're finished, might
I suggest dinner and a good night's sleep?"
"Sounds good, but I have
to go back to engineering first." She packed up her tools.
"If you're free you could retrieve---whatever it is Nelix has dreamed up
for dinner and meet me back at my quarters."
"OK, but if you're not
back in half an hour I'm coming down and carry you back."
"Just gonna do some assignments
for beta shift and I'll be right up---promise." They worked their
way to the end of the tube.
He climbed out, then reached
to help her down. She shook her head and made a face at him, but
took the assistance he offered.
"Gee, Commander, want to
carry my tools back to engineering too?" She teased.
"No, but if you're not
back in half an hour--- I promise I will come down there and carry you."
"Aye Sir --- half an hour."
She gave him a mock salute and turned toward engineering only to find their
antics being observed by two giggling crewmen. She nodded at them
and walked past.
In less than half an hour
the Captain entered her quarters, they were dark.
"Computer lights 3/4.
What is the location of Commander Chakotay?"
"COMMANDER CHAKOTAY IS
ON DECK TWO SECTION 210-MESS HALL."
She desperately wanted
a hot bath, but lacking time she settled for a quick sonic shower.
She had just finished dressing when her door chimed. She entered
the other room and called for it to open. Chakotay carried a tray
of questionable food and a pot of coffee, which she made room for on the
table.
"I'm impressed, back in
time to change. You really can follow orders. I thought you've
given them so long you forgot how."
"You saw the giggling crewmen
when you lifted me down from the jeffries tube, can you just imagine the
uproar that would be caused by your carrying me down the corridor!"
"That would give them something
to talk about." He opened the covered dishes and poured the coffee.
"Come on let's eat and get to bed."
"Commander!" She
put her hands on her hips, but couldn't stop laughing. "Talk about feeding
the gossip mill."
"That's not what I meant
-- thought I wouldn't mind..." He grinned at her. "Hey, how
tired are you?"
"Sit down and eat!"
She just smiled.
After dinner, they settled
on the couch. She leaned against him and he put his arm around her.
They talked and cuddled until they both began to fall asleep.
"We should go to bed --
I mean to sleep."
"All of a sudden we have
to watch what we say?" She sat up looking at him.
"I just don't want to pressure
you. I don't want you to feel I'm pushing you to do anything you're
not ready to do."
"You are THE most incredibly
patient man I have ever met. I know you would never pressure me."
She leaned down and kissed him. "Besides, it's not someplace I don't
want to go ---just not like this. I don't know about you but--I'm
just too damn tired." She stood up and extended her hand. "Come---come
sleep with me."
They went into the bedroom
without turning on the lights. She turned down the bed and he sat
and removed his boots. She picked up her night gown and went to the
other side of the bed to change. He removed his boots and his uniform down
to his boxers and sat again on the edge of the bed. He didn't turn
to face her until he felt her climb into the bed. He laid down and
rolled to face her, she was smiling-watching him. He bent and kissed
her, drawing her down with him as he lay back on the pillow.
"Good night."
"Night." She snuggled into
his side resting her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.
She woke before the computer
sounded her wake up; for Kathryn it wasn't unusual. Already she had
slept longer than most nights. Her head was resting on his chest
and she was surrounded by the warmth and comfort of him, she breathed in
his scent. Slowly, she moved up and rested her head on her
hand, so she could watch him. The light of the stars through the
view port was just enough for her to make out his features, she studied
his face, peaceful in sleep, watched his slow even breathing, felt the
rhythm of his heartbeat under her hand. This was so right -- why
had she never realized it before. He stirred, opening his eyes and
catching her watching him.
"Hey."
"It's early yet, go back
to sleep."
"What are you doing?"
He rolled toward her, pulling her back down to the bed.
"Just watching."
She studied his closed eyes.
"Watching? Watching
me in the dark?"
"Yup."
"Come here." He pulled
her closer. "Go back to sleep, silly. I'll be here in the morning."
"I want you here every
morning." She watched as her words reached him through the fog of
sleep.
"Kathryn?" He slowly
opened his eyes. She was smiling, still watching him --- their eyes
met.
"I love you." She bent
to kiss him, he eagerly returned it.
She pressed her body to
his, hungrily deepening the kiss. His hands moved down her back,
caressing through the thin material of her gown, sliding it up over her
hips. Suddenly she broke the kiss, watching his face she sat up,
tugging the gown over her heads and tossing it off the bed. Sliding
his hands up, he cupped her breasts, she arched in response emitting a
soft moan. He sat up rolling her beneath him, his mouth seeking the
tight dimples surface of her nipple, hands gently running down over her
hips. She gasped as his fingers brushed lightly through he patch
of auburn curls, lifting her hips.
"Carey to Janeway."
The comm signal pierced
the night. It took a minute for it to register, to gain enough composure
to find a comm badge.
"Carey to Janeway."
The call was repeated in desperation.
"Janeway here. What
is it Mr. Carey?" Her voice was strained, but Joe didn't notice.
"Captain, I got trouble
here. We're losing integrity on the antimatter containment field.
There is a gap somewhere. I can't locate it."
"On my way Carey---Janeway
out." She was already off the bed and pulling on her uniform.
She turned to find him dressing beside her. "Sorry."
"Me too." He kissed
her cheek. "Let's go."
They were out the door
and in engineering in record time. Engineering was a buzz of activity,
Carey was beside himself. If anyone thought it strange that both
the Captain and the Commander showed up in engineering at 0430, no one
said anything.
"Captain, sorry to wake
you." He was clearly rattled. "I've run every diagnostic
I know, tried everything--Torres' comm link in on medical override..."
"It's OK, Mr. Carey. Let's
see what you've got." The Captain went to the console and began extracting
information.
"ANTIMATTER CONTAINMENT
BREACH IN 60 SECONDS--- ANTINMATTER CONTAINMENT BREACH IN 59 SECONDS--ANTIMATTER
CONTAINMENT BREACH IN 58 SECONDS.."
"Carey get a level ten
force field around that containment field." Her fingers flew over
the console searching for an answer. "Chakotay, I've got wild power
fluctuation - deck seven section 711 alpha---see if you can shut
the power down in that area.
"ANTIMATTER CONTAINMENT
BREACH IN 54 SECO... ANTIMATTER CONTAINMENT STABILIZED
"Carey what have you brought
on line since I left?"
"Partial transporters."
"Shut them down.
The power grid in engineering can't handle the strain." She studied
the screen. "We have burnt out conduits in section 117 beta,. above
the containment field. Stabilize the grid, I'm going in to replace
the conduits."
"Captain--if the containment
goes while you're in there..."
"Carey, if we don't replace
it and stabilize the power grid it's gonna blow. If it blows it won't matter
if I'm over it or on the floor---we're all going with it. Get that
grid stabilized." She grabbed a tool bag and climbed into the jefferies
tube over the containment field.
It took another hour before
they stabilized the containment field and lowered the force field.
Transporters were lost again and deck seven was now totally without power,
but for the time being anyway they were safe.
"OK, that's it. This
will hold for a while. Ensign run a level four diagnostic on the
power grid -- - let's see if we can find it's problem."
"Captain, I'm sorry.
I couldn't .." Carey was no longer panicked, but now acutely embarrassed
that the Captain had to come to his rescue in B'Elanna's absence.
"Joe, that's what I'm here
for-- we all need help sometimes---I'm just glad I was able to help.
When was the last time you got some sleep?"
"I've been on duty for
18 hours."
"Time for a break.
Go get some rest, I'll be here to cover alpha shift."
"Aye Captain." He
started to leave and turned back. "Captain --- thanks."
She nodded as he left engineering.
She checked on various station in engineering, ran a complete level five
diagnostic, sent a team to deck seven to investigate the power situation
there, prioritized and reorganized and held her breath. Gods she
missed B'Elanna! It was 1100 before she saw Chakotay again
and what a welcome sight he was. He showed up with coffee and
she didn't know which was a more welcome sight ---him or the coffee. ---
so she accepted both. They used B'Elanna's office, taking a short
break and enjoying the coffee and the company. It was the last relaxing
moment they were to have for the next week.
It was about 1130 when
the first alarm sounded ---it wouldn't be the last. Systems all over
the ship began failing one by one, two by two-- on and on. Every
time they fixed one problem two more took it's place. They had no
warp drive, transporters, replicators, power was out on decks seven, eight
and fifteen. The phasers were barely functional and the hull breach
on deck twelve still needed a force field--power to that deck was a priority.
They had helm control and limped along on impulse -- she hoped it would
hold, she had pulled half of Harry's team for other projects. Life support
was threatened more than once and staying alive suddenly became top priority.
B'Elanna returned to work an day sooner than the doctor wanted, but if
she hadn't the doctor himself might not have existed. The main computer
experienced several over load threats when it's power supple came in to
question.
The Captain and B'Elanna
worked side by side, hour after hour, day after day. Tuvok handled
the bridge, and between himself and the Commander they tried to make sure
most of the crew got a few hours off and some sleep from time to
time. The Captain grew used to the fact that at any given moment,
a crewman ---of any department or rank--- would show up in front of her
with coffee, which she could only have if she ate the sandwich that went
with it. --- it became almost a game and at least it provided a momentary
diversion for the crew---a laugh and a little nourishment for the Captain.
Only when she could no longer keep her eyes open or hold a
electrospanner did she
give in and sleep. B'Elanna was almost as bad and Tom and Chakotay
had the extra, self imposed, burden of making sure they ate--something-
and slept--at least for a short time. Once when Nelix had been assigned
to 'operation nourishment', he had discovered the Captain sleeping in a
jeffries tube, spanner still tightly grasped in her fingers. He let
her sleep.
Finally, after what seemed
a lifetime, Voyager slipped into the space dock at Regent Station.
The Captain had been in contact with the minister in charge and arrangements
were in place for much needed repairs and rest. Voyager's systems were
mostly compatible with those of the station, so with very little delay
repairs were underway. It took another week and a half before Voyager
received a clean bill of health and was declared space worthy, by both
B'Elanna and the Team assigned to them from the station. Voyager was to
remain docked another two weeks to allow her crew to recharge and shore
leave was arranged on the Planet for any one who wanted it and everyone
did.
Most of the crew
had had at least some leave after the first week and finally the Captain,
having rested, was going to join in. There was an amusement park
of sorts on the planet and several members of the crew had reported back
that although small it provided a great diversion, with rides, unusual
foods and a zoo with some very strange animals. B'Elanna and Tom
had spent several days on the planet, but were making a day trip to the
park and planned to meet Jenny and Harry for dinner before returning. Chakotay
and the Captain were bringing Naomi down to spend the day. Chakotay
planned to stay planetside for a few days and had taken a room. He
and B'Elanna were free early in the day so, they beamed down early
so he could check in and planned to meet the Captain, Naomi and Tom for
lunch at the park.
It was a beautiful afternoon,
the sun was warm, but a slight breeze kept the temperature just right.
Naomi had taken advantage of having four playmates, by making each ride
different rides with her, so each adult was only minimally sick by the
time they finished. Naomi was fine. By dinner time they had
finally succeeded in doing the impossible---wearing out Naomi Wildman.
They parted company just before dark. Tom and B'Elanna off to meet
Harry and Jenny, Chakotay went to his room and the Captain took Naomi back
to the ship.
EMAIL
PART TWO
