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"Same River, Different Bridge"

by Dee Price


Janeway sighed loudly and placing the PADD down on her desk turned and looked out the window. The stars raced by but her thoughts drifted to Chakotay and she sighed again, shook her head and returned to the PADD.

A chime sounded and she called out "Enter."

Her First Officer strode into the room and stood ramrod straight in front of her desk as he handed her a PADD. "The reports you wanted, Captain"

"Thank you, Commander," she said as she took the PADD without looking up. He then handed her a second PADD.

She glanced at it as he said, "I have taken the liberty of arranging the work schedule for next week. I hope that is all right Captain?"

"Of course, Commander," she replied. "That is your duty." She then looked back to the report but noted he had not left.

She looked up and asked, "Is there something else, Commander?"

"I'm concerned about Ensign Scott, Captain," he said, a sharp edge in his tone.

"This is Ensign Scott's first mission, Commander. He will be fine," she said as she thought back to Harry and his first mission. Fresh out of the Academy, nervous and excited, and then he gets whisked away to the Delta Quadrant.

"Ensign Scott seems unsure at times on his readouts, Captain," the Commander persisted.

Kathryn sighed and lying the PADD down looked again at the Commander. "I assure you he will work out fine. It will just take time and some confidence. Surely you can instill him with confidence, Commander?"

"If you wish, Captain," he said a bit miffed that she wasn't taking his concerns seriously.

"Dismissed," said Janeway, knowing that was the only way she could end this conversation. He nodded and turning smartly walked out of the room.

She stared at the closed door for quite awhile, gave a slight shake of her head along with another audible sigh and returned her attention to her computer.

"Captain to the Bridge," suddenly rang through her quarters.

Rising she strode briskly onto the Bridge. "Report," she called out as she looked over at Ensign Scott.

"Captain we are approaching an M Class planet."

"Is there a problem?"

"I don't know ma'am," he said with a slight quiver in his voice. "They are not answering our hails."

She turned to the Commander and seeing him tapping at his console said, "Chakotay would you ---" and then quickly placed her hand on her forehead and swore silently to her self. "I'm sorry, Commander Larson," she said as he looked up.

This was the third time she had done that. The first time he had seemed shocked, but she had quickly corrected herself. The second time he seemed to have a smirk on his face, but just now she was sure she saw a hint of anger in his blue eyes.

She decided to ignore it and said, "What do your readings show, Commander Larson?"

He hesitated, obviously displeased, and then as duty decreed he answer his Captain glanced down at his console and said, "It is an M class planet Captain and they appear highly technologically evolved, with possible warp capabilities."

She looked over at Ensign Scott. "Do you concur, Ensign?"

"Yes ma'am," he said with a slight smile.

Janeway then looked over at Lt Martin at security. "Be alert Lt.," turned to her chair and as she sat down ordered Ensign Scott to initiate another hail.

"They are finally responding, Captain," came the relieved Ensign's voice.

"On screen," said Janeway quietly.

"Why are you hailing us?" said a belligerent voice from the visage that appeared.

Kathryn slowly rose and smiled as she looked at him. He was part humanoid in that he was standing upright but had a prominent forehead and a large protruding nose. His face seemed covered with what she would call fur rather than hair.

"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Barton. We are explorers and as a courtesy are introducing ourselves as we pass through your section of space."

"We are not interested in visitors! So be off with you."

She smiled again and said softly. "If that is your wish, but. I assure you we are not dangerous and have no aggressive intentions."

"Did you not hear me Captain? We are an isolationist society. So do not contact us again!"

"I'm sorry. We weren't aware there were isolationists in the Alpha Quadrant. Might I suggest you place a buoy warning future travelers of this?"

"I will!" and the screen went black.

"Arrogant man," said Commander Larson, who had risen and stepped beside Janeway.

"It's his privilege, Commander," said the Captain as she turned back to her chair. Before sitting she looked up at Ensign Scott and smiled. "Make a note of that for this planet, Ensign."

"I will ma'am," he replied.

Two hours went by as Voyager continued its meandering journey. All sensors were extended as far as they would reach but everything was quiet. The only sound was the hum of the engines and the slight background noise of people talking softly.

Janeway rose and headed for her Ready Room, turning the bridge over to Larson.

As she sat down she picked up a PADD and started to peruse its contents, but could not concentrate. Rising she walked to the window and with arms crossed over her chest stared out at the blackness. Her thoughts were on one person . . . Chakotay.

Oh Chakotay, how I miss you. I wish you were here with me now, giving me that mischievous grin and warm counsel. I so need that. I miss you so much, but I gave this heartache to myself didn't I? I held you away and you finally moved on. I don't know why but I thought you would still be waiting for me when we got back to earth, and I could tell you then how I really felt, but you didn't wait. You moved on with someone else. And to think it was Seven you turned to!

She frowned as she rubbed at her head and mused she was giving herself a headache. She was now Captain of another ship, the Starship Barton, her first command since returning to Earth five months ago. She had asked for any former members of Voyager to help crew her ship but only a few came on board. Tuvok had resigned from Starfleet and was resuming his life on Vulcan. Tom and B'Elanna were on another ship, having arranged to be together. Harry was now a Lt. and also on some other ship, which she didn't yet know the name of. And Chakotay? She hadn't heard from him since the debriefings ended and she had no idea where he . . . they were.

So here she was in the far reaches of the Alpha Quadrant, supposedly exploring, but there really wasn't anything left to explore. It was just amounting to a patrol. The planet they had just passed was on the map but no notations, so she had attempted what she considered first contact, to no avail.

Suddenly there was a large explosion and she was flung across the floor, landing with a loud thump and followed immediately by a groan as she felt searing pain course through her back where she had hit the railing before falling to the deck. She grabbed at the rail and pulled herself to her feet and although unsteady slapped at her Comm badge

"Report! What's happening?"

"A ship suddenly uncloaked off the port bow and started firing without provocation, Captain!" reported Larson.

"Raise shields to maximum!" she yelled as she attempted to make her way to the door, but was flung down by another explosion.

"They already are," was the response.

"Then return fire! Defend this ship!" she yelled as she stumbled out onto the Bridge. "And who the hell are they?"

"Unknown, Captain," called out Ensign Scott.

For two hours the two ships fired at one another. The Barton was taking a lot of damage while the other ship seemed impervious to their firepower.

"Captain," called Lt. Martin from Security. "Our environmental controls have been destroyed.

"And we have lost not only Warp but now Thrusters are off line, Captain," called out Adams from Helm. At that moment there was another explosion, the ship lurched and then sat still, tilting at a 20-degree angle.

Adams threw up his hands in disgust. "All engines are offline. We are now dead in the water!"

Despite the severity of the situation Kathryn immediately thought of Tom Paris. That had been his expression when engines were lost and she briefly wondered if that was taught at the Academy or just a favorite helm expression among the pilots. Just then another explosion rocked the now immobile ship.

"Captain, Life Support is now down. We will have only enough oxygen to allow us to abandon ship," Martin called out.

Janeway looked stricken. Not again she thought. My second command and we have to abandon ship! First I get Voyager lost and now this.

An explosion flung her from her command chair. As she rolled over to her knees, she looked back at Martin who was looking directly at her as he held onto his console, and then quickly made her decision.

Her right hand flew up and smashed down on her Com badge. "All hands abandon ship! I say again. This is Captain Janeway. This is no drill. Report to your Escape Pods and abandon ship!"

Quietly and efficiently the Bridge crew started leaving the Bridge. Kathryn stood there, immobile. She was ashamed, shocked and yet mad as hell that this was happening. Well she would just sit here and go down with the ship. Isn't that what good Captain's were supposed to do?

"Captain," Ensign Scott called from doorway. "You must come now. We are holding the last escape pod for you!"

She looked at him and almost shook her head no, then saw the frightened look on his face and knew she couldn't abandon him. Turning she ran up to the door.

"Hurry, please Captain. Lt. Larson said the ship is going to blow in a matter of minutes."

They both ran for the pod, crawled in and as Ensign Scott sealed the hatch Janeway punched the Eject button and with a large whoosh the pod shot out of its bay.

"Will they shoot at the pods, Captain?" asked the Ensign as he turned and sat down.

"Not if they have any compassion or humanity, Ensign," she replied firmly. Yet inside she was wondering the same thing.

She looked around. Lt Adams and Ensign Scott were the only members of the Bridge crew from Alpha shift. The remaining members of the crew in the pod were bridge crew staff from the Gamma shift as she recalled. But that wasn't the problem. The Pod was somehow overloaded beyond what they should have and yet as she wondered what went wrong in that respect, it dawned on her Larson was not among this crew.

"Where is Commander Larson?" she asked.

"I saw him helping someone into another pod, Captain. With time short he probably went in that one," answered Ensign Scott.

The pod suddenly lurched as they heard a large explosion. Ensign Carpenter, peering out the porthole turned and looked back at Janeway with eyes wide.

"The Barton has just exploded, Captain," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Kathryn peered out the porthole near her and winced at all the debris flying through the air, and hoped none of it would hit any pods.

Her eyes widened as she then saw the enemy ship go after the escape pods and then felt absolute horror as it fired at first one and then another and another until at last all the pods visible to her had been shot out of the sky. Her blood boiled with rage at this massacre as she realized they were seemingly the only pod left. She hoped with fervor that some had gotten away.

She glanced quickly over at Lt. Adams, who was at the Navigational controls.

"Don't do anything reckless, Lt.," she whispered, "But be ready."

And then as she turned and once again looked out her porthole, saw what she feared . . . what she expected. The big ship slowly turned towards them and she held her breath. Slowly it approached until it seemed almost on top of them. Kathryn glanced around at everyone and saw they were all sitting on the deck and holding each other's hand.

She then looked over at Lt Adams and found him looking at her. With a slight smile he whispered, "It's been an honor and a privilege to have served with you, Captain."

Kathryn gave him a slight nod and said softly, "Likewise, Lt., and I'm sorry." He just shrugged his shoulders and looked out the porthole at the ship, which was just sitting motionless.

"They are scanning us, Captain," he said as he looked down at the controls.

Minutes ticked by and for what seemed like an eternity for the crew inside the escape pod, nothing happened.

Suddenly a bright light flashed out from the ship and the pod momentarily shook.

"They have locked on a tractor beam," said Adams calmly as the pod was pulled toward the ship.

"Captain?" said Ensign Scott.

Janeway turned and looked down at him. "Yes Ensign?"

"Captain . . . I'm not afraid to die, but . . . well, I don't know whether I can stand to be tortured."

Kathryn quickly knelt down and squeezed his hand. "Just do the best you can, Ensign. That's all I can expect from any of us." She glanced at the rest as she stood. "Just act like Starfleet Officers and don't try to be a hero. These are obviously people without any compassion and appear to like killing, so don't provoke them."

The pod bumped and scraped for a moment and then rocked as it was obviously set down somewhere in the bowels of this enemy ship.

"Shall I open the hatch, Captain?" asked Adams.

"No. They can't open it from out there unless they find the button underneath. Let's see if we can determine their intention first," she replied. "Turn all power off except for life support." Adams nodded and the pod went black inside.

Suddenly there was a very loud banging on the pod and someone yelled, "Open up!"

Kathryn made her way to the porthole and looked out. Everything was pitch black in the ship also and she couldn't see any movement at all. The banging and yelling to open up again was heard.

She straightened and called out, "What is it you want with us? We have not done anything to you to provoke that attack."

"You violated our space," was the angry response, and Kathryn frowned. The voice seemed vaguely familiar, but it was probably just her imagination.

"We saw no buoy or indication of any warning to stay away from this sector."

"Everyone knows to stay away from this area!" growled the voice.

"We didn't. I apologize if we offended you in any way, but we honestly did not know it was forbidden to be there."

"No matter. You are our prisoner now and will suffer the consequences. Now open up or we shall blow up this measly little ship.

Kathryn decided to try a bluff. "If you blow up this ship you will also destroy your ship. We have an explosive on board for self destruct."

There was no response for a moment and then she heard, "Our scans indicated no explosive aboard."

"It is built within our system. Scans do not detect it."

Quiet descended, with no sound from outside the pod or within. Several minutes went by and then Kathryn heard tapping on the hull and knew they were searching for the outside hatch release. She whispered to Adams.

"Lt., are you still at Navigational controls?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. See if you can find the panel that locks the hatch from inside."

"I already have my finger on it, Captain," came the response, the tone of which indicated to Kathryn he was smiling.

"Excellent. Seal it Lt. and we'll wait this out and see what happens."

"What if they call your bluff Captain?" a woman's voice asked.

"Then we'll never know, because if they blow this pod it will be very quick," she said with a hint of a chuckle.

Everyone became quiet and Kathryn sat down on the deck and waited.

The tapping continued until she realized they had found the hatch release. This was followed by a lot of frustrated yelling as she heard, "They've sealed the hatch from inside, sir."

"Then let them rot," replied an angry voice and Kathryn heard footsteps, which gradually became distant until it was deathly silent.

"Sounds like they are leaving us, Captain," said Ensign Scott.

"For the moment, Ensign, just for the moment," and she leaned her head back against the bulkhead and closed her eyes.

Minutes ticked by. The minutes became hours and still nothing was heard from their captors. Janeway told the crew members to get as much sleep as they could and she waited . . . and waited, until she lost track of time.

Gradually crewmembers stirred and she realized it must have been at least eight or ten hours since they had been left alone. It was still pitch black in the hold and try as she might she could not discern anything, nor any movement of any kind.

Time continued to slip by. She herself slept for a while and soon everyone was awake, but silent. They were full of questions, she knew. Questions she could not answer and her heart ached for these people.

She felt certain after watching the massacre of the pods that they were the only members left of the crew of her ship. As she thought of them sitting quietly in the blackness she wondered how much she could count on them, how strong they would be if push came to shove. With her old Voyager crew she knew without a doubt she could stake her life on them, that they would somehow survive. Not only that, they would somehow find a way to escape.

Her thoughts turned once again to Chakotay and she wondered what devious plan he and the Maquis would come up with in a situation such as this. She smiled in the darkness as she thought this, and then her heart ached as she thought of her former First Officer. It also made her sorry she had felt misgivings about Commander Larson. Maybe he was all right, in his ramrod, strict Starfleet way, but now he was dead and she would never know or be able to give him time to adjust. Chakotay had been so easy going and yet got his message across to the crew without raising his voice, and with very few exceptions, everyone respected him.

She not only respected him but considered him the finest First Officer in Starfleet and her best . . . her dearest friend. She rubbed at her neck and thought of his neck massages on New Earth and how she knew she was falling in love with him on that planet, yet even then, even there, divorced from Starfleet supposedly for life, she did not give in to her feelings. This thought made her clamp her jaw so tight it started aching.

Suddenly Lt. Adams voice was heard. "Captain? Are you awake?"

"Yes. Lt. I'm just thinking."

"What do you think they will do? I believe it's been about twelve hours."

"I really have no idea Lt."

"If they break in are there weapons we can use to defend ourselves?" asked Ensign Scott.

"There are a few Phasers, Ensign, but I hardly think they will help against a whole ship full of enemies," said Janeway quietly. "If we start shooting at them I don't think they would hesitate to blow this pod up. However, if and when we have to surrender it might behoove us to be ready to destroy any valuable Starfleet equipment on this pod. Lt Adams I'll put you in charge of making assignments as to what will be destroyed if that moment comes."

"Yes ma'am," responded his quiet, yet confident voice.

More hours passed, and by their estimate, yet another night slipped by, and still they were left alone. The air was becoming thick, as they couldn't vent with all the power off.

Janeway became quite concerned when, by her reckoning, four days had passed. Normally a pod is equipped for thirty days of food and water, but they had ten more people in this pod than they were supposed to. Quite a screw up she thought. The crew was young and not that experienced, not so uncommon in just a patrol, so possibly they had panicked and crawled into the first pod they came to. In any event it was done, so she had cut the rationing of supplies more than originally set up.

Even so, it was only three more days before the water ran out. She felt they could last another 2-3 days without water in this cramped confinement, but that was the limit. Also hygiene was becoming quite a problem. However, she was more concerned about something else. Although she couldn't see their faces, she knew they were feeling tense and beginning to snap at one another. Seven days with barely being able to move would do that easily enough, let alone the situation they were in. The only thing holding them together was the fact that she, the Captain, was aboard this pod. In her gut she knew it wouldn't be long before she would have a decision to make.

In the meantime, as she sat in the darkness, she felt embarrassed, depressed and angry about the situation. Her second command and she lost the ship . . . again! Maybe Starfleet should have court-martialed her and stripped her of rank for some of her indiscretions in the Delta Quadrant. Well, somehow, she would get these people out of this mess, and she doggedly continued to think that as more hours and days passed.

It happened on the tenth day. One of the Ensigns became delirious and Janeway wasn't about to let anybody else suffer. She made her decision.

Groaning from stiffness as she struggled to her feet, she cleared her throat. "I guess the time has come. They have out-waited us, people. We don't have any water and that's critical in my judgment, so I'm going to order Lt. Adams to power up the pod. I'm sure that will get somebody's attention and when it does, we shall surrender."

"Maybe if we power up we can escape, Captain," came a voice from the back.

"I'm sure they would shoot us down at that point. At least we are alive, and as such we will look for a means to escape once we are out of this pod and able to determine the situation. Lt. Adams, turn on the power."

She heard the shuffling of feet, along with a yelp of pain as someone was stepped on and then, "Yes ma'am."

Gradually the power came on and as Kathryn looked around she felt horrified. They all looked terrible! It didn't take long for someone to appear from the enemy crew. The power was still not at 100% when the lights went on in the bay of the ship and a group of about 20 men with phasers came running in.

As Kathryn looked out the port hole she determined they were humanoid, but never having seen them before had no idea of their race.

"Have you decided to surrender?" one of the men yelled.

"We are out of water and I remind you that under Federation rules you are to treat any prisoners with compassion and humane . . ."

"We are not a member of your precious Federation and will treat you as we see fit. Now open your hatch and come out! Also, I might remind all of you in that container to not make any foolish attempt at bravery. My men have orders to shoot everyone at one wrong move."

Kathryn nodded her head and looked at everyone. "When we leave this pod I want you all to stand tall and proud and handle yourselves as Starfleet Officers." She then looked at Lt Adams and ordered him to release the lock on the hatch and open it.

Moments later it clicked and silently opened. As Kathryn looked out at the armed men waiting for them, she noticed they were all screwing up their noses at the stench.

She straightened her posture and stepped out of the pod, and then immediately turned and helped each crewmember out. Once all were out and standing in a line, she turned and faced the person seemingly in charge.

"I am Captain Kathryn Janeway and I request to speak to your Captain and ascertain why you shot down my ship and murdered my crew."

"He will see you in good time," growled the man. "Your race smells!"

"Of course we smell," Kathryn snarled. "You would too if you had been in there for ten or more days!"

The man ignored her remark and grabbing her arm roughly propelled her forward, and followed that by yelling at the other crew members, "Follow your disgraced Captain!"

They were pushed, shoved and at times thrown roughly down several corridors, causing that individual to sprawl face first to the deck. Helpful hands immediately pulled them to their feet, but no one spoke, merely smiled a thank you. At last they were put in individual cells. As Kathryn reached hers, the door was opened and she was given a hard shove, which sent her sprawling onto the floor and resulting in her cracking her head hard on the deck. Merciful blackness overcame any pain she might have had or any thoughts regarding the condition of this space.

Gradually consciousness returned and she wondered how long she had been out. As she felt her head she felt caked blood and realized it must have been quite a while. Slowly she rose to her feet and holding her hands out in the darkness shuffled her feet forward. At last her hands felt a wall and she slowly side-stepped around the room. She felt where the door was and continued her exploration until at last she was at the door again. Then the realization hit her that there was not any bed. She got down on her hands and knees and crawled around, looking for a bed, a blanket, anything, but the room was bare . . . and very dark.

She called out. "Lt Adams. Can you hear me?"

Silence.

She called again.

Silence.

She felt momentary panic as no one had answered. Where were they? What had happened to the surviving crew? She had seen them pushed one by one into a cell until she had been knocked out in hers.

She made her way to a wall and sitting down placed her hands to her forehead. "Another fine mess you've gotten us into, Captain," raced through her mind, but it was Chakotay's voice, along with that twinkle in his eye and mischievous grin he had. She couldn't help it and smiled at that thought. Then she tilted her head back against the wall and waited.
It seemed forever, but all of a sudden she heard footsteps in the corridor and then a key in her door.

"Get out here, wench. The Captain wishes to see you," yelled a guard.

Janeway rose and shielding her eyes from the light walked into the corridor. Both of her arms were immediately grabbed and she was quickly and roughly pushed down the hall. At last they stopped and opened a door and she was viciously shoved into the room, sending her sprawling. This is getting to be a habit, she mused to herself as she rolled to her knees. Slowly she rose and then spotting a desk with a man sitting behind it, defiantly walked over to him.

"I demand to know why you destroyed my ship and murdered my crew!"

She was slapped hard across the face by the guard standing beside her and again sent crashing to the floor. As she looked up blood streamed down her cheek, but she didn't even touch it as she rose and faced the enemy Captain.

"Get down on your knees, wench!" yelled the guard.

Kathryn raised her head and glared in defiance at him before turning back to the Captain.

"I again ask, why have you committed this unconscionable act?

She was hit again, this time by the butt of a gun across the back of her head.

As she dropped to the floor there was first a swirling of stars and then blackness before she felt her body hit the deck. She struggled to maintain a sense of consciousness and gritted her teeth from the pain. Two hands roughly grabbed her arms and hauled her to her knees.

"Now stay on your knees before the Captain!" growled the guard, "Or suffer the consequences again."

At that moment, while Kathryn struggled against her captors and while still attempting to clear her head, she heard the door open and immediately struggled to her feet, once again defying the guard's orders.

Five of her crewmen were ushered in and made to kneel off to the side. She stared at them in wide-eyed horror. All had obviously been beaten as their faces had huge purple welts as well as caked blood.

"You monster! What have you done to them?" she cried out as she turned to the Captain.

He merely shrugged his shoulders. "You are a stubborn race and they did not comply with our orders. Now Captain, down on your knees or you will be hit again," he said in an oily, sinister tone.

"I will not get down on my knees to you," she said icily.

"Get down!" thundered the guard as he grabbed her shoulder.

"Don't do it Captain!" came the voice of Ensign Martinez. Kathryn turned and looked at him, as he rose to his feet, proud and defiant. "They are swine."

A phaser shot was heard and Martinez crumpled, obviously dead. One of the other Ensigns gasped as he fell into her, but caught him enough to gently lower him to the deck.

Kathryn stared in shock at what had just happened. She looked at the other four as she heard again the order to get on her knees. She knew if she did not comply someone else would be shot as she watched.

She looked back at the Captain and after tipping her head in a defiant gesture, slowly lowered to one knee and then the other. "I do this to protect my crew," she said, "Not to bow before you."

"You are pathetic," growled the Captain. "You kneel to protect your crew instead of showing your position, your power."

"My power is my compassion," she shot back.

The Captain stared at Janeway for some time before he leaned forward and said, "Captain Janeway you and the remainder of your crew are my prisoners. You will remain on this ship until we get to our planet of Zhahare, which will take about ten days. At that time you will all be sentenced as spies and sent to the mines in the interior, where you will spend the rest of your days, however long that may be. The mines are tough and we have deaths there every day, so we have a constant need for replacements."

"Then why did you shoot down our Pods if you are in need of workers?"

"Our scans showed some of them to be weak. Your Pod showed you as the Captain, and naturally we thought the members with you were your bridge crew, who should also be strong-willed people. We made a mistake on that, but so be it."

"We need blankets in those cells of yours, and food and water."

"You will get what we see fit! We do not have time to mollycoddle prisoners. One bowl of soup and one slice of bread a day. Each cell will be equipped with one bucket of water for your journey, to drink or use as you see fit, but only one bucket. Also the lights will be turned on one hour a day and each cell will have one 'honey bucket' that will be cleaned once a week! Now take them back to their cells, I'm sick of their obnoxious odor . . . and dump that body out an airlock."

The guards immediately began shoving Kathryn and the other four crewmembers out the door and they made their way back to their cells. After the doors were shut and the footsteps not heard, Kathryn called out, "Lt Adams! Are you there?"

A very weak, "Yes Captain," was heard.

"Are you all right?"

She didn't receive an answer and then heard someone call out, "He was the first to be taken out, Captain. I think they beat him pretty bad, as we haven't heard him even move around in his cell."

The voice was unfamiliar so she asked, "Are you all right?"

There was silence a moment and then the voice responded, "We were all taken out and . . . hit a few times when we did not give the answer they desired. But we'll be all right, Captain."

Kathryn winced. After what she had seen in the Captain's office she knew they had all been beaten quite savagely.

Footsteps were heard again along with squeaky wheels. Her cell door was opened, she was told to stand back against the far wall, and a guard brought in two buckets and hastily left, with the cell door being slammed shut. She could tell by the odor one bucket was the waste container and got down on her knees and crawled to where she remembered them being placed. She moved the odiferous bucket further to one side and then cautiously used one finger to find the water in the other. It was warm, but wet. She placed her finger in her mouth. It was water, but just by the taste she felt it wasn't that pure. Still it was better than nothing.

She bent low and using her hand, scooped a palm-full into her mouth. Satisfied it was palatable and that whoever these people were they wouldn't risk killing what prisoners they had before they reached the mines, she stood and listened as one door after another was opened and closed. Finally it was quiet.

She took a deep breath and called out. "Everyone! One bucket is water, which isn't too bad. The other is for your waste. It's all we'll get for ten days so ration the water carefully. Also if you want to wash yourself in anyway, rip a piece of your t-shirt and use that, but use it sparingly. We will survive this people. We must survive and eventually escape so we can inform Starfleet about these heinous people!"

She heard groans as people were obviously trying to move to the buckets and then heard the scraping of the buckets on the floor. Satisfied they would attempt to drink, she sat down on the floor and tried to reason why this had happened.

They had done nothing wrong! She went over and over the conversations on the bridge and remembered nothing about any warning buoy. She shook her head in disbelief. You are right again my dear Chakotay. I've really gotten us into a mess this time, only a lot worse than being lost in the Delta Quadrant, I'm afraid.

The ten days seemed to drag. The smell from each cell now permeated the entire area as the waste bucket was changed after four days but not since that time. As careful as she had been on the water she was still down at the bottom of the bucket. The soup they had received seemed merely warmed up leftovers and maybe not even that. She couldn't see it and wouldn't have been surprised if it had bugs in it or even that it was dishwater, as once it tasted soapy. But she had survived it despite feeling sick to her stomach on several occasions. Now, she could tell by the ship's engines and movement they must have reached their captors home planet and were entering orbit.

An hour went by and then footsteps; soon her cell door was thrown open.

"On your feet wench!" ordered the guard as he walked in and pulled her up.

As she was brought out into the corridor a quick glance showed her the other members of the crew were also being brought out. Despite only this glance she felt shock at how gaunt and thin they already looked. Once everyone was in the corridor they were led to a large room, with one side door.

The guard growled, "One at a time you will go into this room, take your clothes off, step to the water head, clean yourself off, dress and step back out here. You will have five minutes each."

"That is not enough time," complained Kathryn. "We are all weak. It will take time to get our clothes off and then putting them back on. Please, give us each ten minutes?"

"Five minutes! You are first," and Kathryn was propelled into the room. As she hurriedly pulled at her clothes the water came on and although still in her t-shirt and underpants, she quickly stepped into the water and using her hands rubbed herself all over. The water suddenly shut off so she threw her jacket on, muttered that was the quickest five minutes on record, and was still trying to work her trousers on over her wet legs and underpants when the door opened and a guard stepped in and yanked her out.

"Next!" he bellowed.

"Wash in your undergarments," Kathryn quickly called out to Ensign Scott as he was shoved into the room.

One by one they went into the room. Three times, some one was pulled out still naked and thrown to the floor. They hurriedly tried to dress as they turned their backs to the crew and guards. Kathryn's heart went out to them, but she wasn't allowed to move so couldn't offer any comfort or help

When the last person was finished they were marched to the shuttle bay and pushed into a shuttle. Shortly it took off. The windows were blacked out so she was unable to look at this 'rogue' planet of Zhahare for any identification she might later put to use. It wasn't long before the shuttle landed and they were herded onto a ground transport and whisked away. As with the shuttle, all the windows were blacked out and the driver was sealed in a compartment, while guards stood at the front and rear of the transport, their phasers held in firing position.

Soon the transport stopped, the group was all blindfolded and then taken out and marched for what seemed forever. Janeway had them all take each other's hand so they would not stumble and fall, while guards were on both sides as well as front and rear to make sure no one attempted to take off their blindfolds.

Finally Kathryn heard a door open and she was pulled forward for about ten steps then told to stop. The person behind her bumped into her and muttered, "Sorry."

"You are all prisoners of the Zhahare," yelled a booming voice from somewhere up front. "You are found guilty of spying and hereby sentenced to life in the mines."

"Don't we even get a trial? What kind of justice is this?" yelled Janeway.

"It is the way of Zhahare. You are spies and deserve no trial. Take them to the mines!" As they were being led off, Kathryn heard the booming voice yell, "Next case, and be quick about it."

Once again they were led stumbling and feeling their way back to what Janeway felt might be a transportation hub as it seemed to echo with engines and a background of voices. They were herded onto some sort of vehicle, and as it lifted from the ground, Kathryn realized it must be a shuttle of some kind.

For what seemed an hour they flew, then Kathryn sensed the subtle changes in the engines and soon she felt the craft land.

"You may all take off your blindfolds now and take a look at what awaits you," yelled a guard.

The first thing Kathryn saw was a ring of mountains surrounding this small flat area that looked arid and bleak. As she stepped out of the transport she had to use all her years of training to not gasp or express surprise at the austere, harsh landscape. She saw what used to be people, but now looking like scarecrows they were so thin, moving about. A man a short ways from her stopped pushing his carrier when he saw them and catching Kathryn's eyes, whispered, "God have mercy on you."

As they were moved toward a shack a man off to the left stumbled and fell and when he did not get up immediately as the guard ordered, was shot and drug away.

Upon entering the shack the guard said, "This is where you will all live. Each bunk has a uniform with a number on it, a towel, and a plate. Change immediately and report outside in five minutes. Your day in the mines starts right now!"

The group turned and looked at Kathryn. She straightened her posture, lifted her head and as she moved to a cot at the end of the room said, "Be strong and remember who you are. We will survive this," and she started to change clothes.

* * * *

Four months later on Dorvan 1V

Chakotay entered his cabin, his body glistening from sweat, and reveled in the coolness of the room as compared to the heat outside. He smiled. It was hot, but he had gotten a lot of wood cut for the coming winter. Moving to the kitchen he filled a glass with cold water and slowly drank it.

As he started to move to the bedroom to take a shower he noticed the Incoming Light on his console start to blink and frowned. Who could be calling him he wondered. Debating to shower first or answer the call, curiosity won and he strode to the console and punched the button. His eyes widened in shock at the visage that appeared.

"Tuvok! What a surprise!"

"Good day Commander. How are you?"

"I am well Tuvok. And you?"

"I am doing well, Commander.'

"That's good. What brings this call? I must admit it surprises me."

"I have had a hard time tracking you down. I have been trying for several days, but I was wondering if your had heard about Captain Janeway?"

Chakotay smiled. "Tuvok, ever since the debriefings ended and I came to Dorvan I have not heard one word about Starfleet or from anyone in Starfleet, including our beloved Captain."

"Then I regret to say I am the bearer of bad news."

Chakotay's heart lurched. "What do you mean?" he asked as he started to frown.

"I'm afraid Captain Janeway is . . ." and he hesitated. "I'm sorry Commander, but it appears that Captain Janeway might be dead."

Chakotay felt his heart drop into his stomach and sat down hard on the chair. "What do you mean?" he whispered.

"It appears her ship was destroyed approximately five months ago and Starfleet has been unable to find any survivors. They have, however, found a lot of debris and traces of human remains. They have continued searching and making inquiries, but to no avail."

"I don't believe Kathryn is dead, Tuvok," he whispered.

"Indeed. All through the Delta Quadrant she did have an uncanny way of avoiding death."

"Go back to the beginning and tell me everything. Please, Tuvok, everything you know. Don't leave a thing out."

"Very well. I must start by saying that it was a freighter in the far reaches of the Alpha Quadrant who made the discovery. Apparently their sensors picked up a large explosion and they went to investigate. They came upon a very large debris field and quickly recognized the remnants of a ship. They searched for survivors but finding none, made note of the coordinates and left.

"A week later they detected a Starfleet vessel and sent them a message, asking if they had any ships in the region. The Captain, by name of Escobar I believe, remembered that Captain Janeway had told him two days before his departure that she was going out in The Barton, so he took down the coordinates and went to that sector at high warp. They pulled several pieces of debris into their cargo bay and made a quick analysis. It was indeed The Barton."

"But the crew probably got out in escape pods," interrupted Chakotay.

"Unfortunately, some of the debris was escape pods, Commander."

"But that doesn't mean some of the crew didn't escape before the Barton blew up," persisted Chakotay.

Tuvok frowned before he made his next statement. "Captain Escobar reported the escape pods had phaser burns on them."

Chakotay sat back in his chair as the full realization of what Tuvok was saying hit him. Then eyes wide he said, "You mean the escape pods ejected and then were deliberately shot down?"

"It appears so, Commander."

Chakotay immediately jumped to his feet, sending his chair tumbling and yelled, "Son of a bitch! Who in their right mind would do such a heinous thing! That's barbaric!"

"Indeed. As to who, that is unknown. The detailed analysis later done by Starfleet determined the phaser signatures were of unknown origin. And I agree it was a barbaric act."

Chakotay righted his chair and slowly sat down. His legs felt like rubber and as his heart pounded he rubbed at his forehead and whispered, "I can't believe it. I can't believe Kathryn is dead." He continued to rub at his forehead and finally looked up at Tuvok, who had waited patiently for the shock he knew Chakotay was going through to wear off.

"What is Starfleet doing, Tuvok? Are they continuing the search?"

"They thoroughly searched the area containing the debris but now are sending out deep space messages asking for information."

Chakotay gave a raucous, sarcastic laugh. "Good old Starfleet. Send out a message and the murderers are simply going to stand up, wave their hands and say 'Here I am. We did it.' That's unbelievable." He then shook his head and looking at Tuvok with a forlorn, lost look said, "I can't believe Kathryn is gone. She is such a survivor."

"Indeed Commander. I, as well as you, have lost a dear friend. I'm sorry to tell you of such bad news, but felt you had the right to know if you hadn't already been informed."

"Thanks Tuvok. I appreciate that," Chakotay said in a rather detached voice.

"You are welcome, Commander."

Chakotay suddenly looked up and gave a weak smile. "Well now that you've ruined my day, how is T'Pel?"

"Well, but finding the news hard to take. She and the Captain had become good friends since our return. The Captain visited Vulcan twice before her ill-fated journey."

Chakotay felt a pang of jealousy shoot through him. Kathryn had visited Vulcan but not him! Then he shook his head and thought, why should she have visited me, I didn't tell her where I was going.

As Tuvok got ready to end the call, Chakotay obtained his number and thanked him again for informing him of Kathryn's loss. After signing off he rose and walking to his window stared out at the lush green forest for a long, long time, without really seeing it.

During the night, Chakotay tossed and turned, unable to sleep as his mind churned with the devastating news about Kathryn. Finally at 0200 hours he rose and stepped out on his back deck. The harsh cold air hit his naked body but he hardly noticed its sting as he stood staring up at the starlit night. Kathryn you can't be gone.

Suddenly he made a decision and turning he walked to his console and punched in Tuvok's number. A short time later the face of Tuvok appeared.

"Commander. What can I do for you?"

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you Tuvok. I don't know the time there and if I awakened you I apologize."

"I was meditating, Commander. It is all right."

"No, I apologize for disturbing that. I've been thinking, Tuvok. Starfleet will never find them with what they are doing, if any are even still alive. I believe only covert methods can find any information about this disaster, and in the Maquis we used a lot of stealthy methods."

"Indeed, Commander. As I recall from my time on your ship, the Maquis are not only stealthy, but devious and sneaky as well."

Chakotay couldn't help it and laughed. "Devious? Why thank you Tuvok. I consider that a compliment. But, sneaky? Well we had to be didn't we?"

"To accomplish what you felt you had to do, yes."

"All right, Tuvok. The reason I'm calling is this: you still pull a lot of weight with Starfleet, where I was lucky to get off with a pardon. Use all your guile and persuasion and get me a ship. It has to be a small attack ship, but most importantly, it must have cloaking capability."

Tuvok stared at him for a long time before answering. "You are going to search for Captain Janeway."

"Yes. I just don't believe she is dead and in a ship with cloaking I can go where Starfleet can't and also use methods Starfleet can't. I'll turn that sector and all sectors around it upside down, but if Kathryn is alive I will find her!"

"I'm afraid I will only try to get you a ship on one condition, Commander."

Chakotay frowned. "Don't be laying down conditions, Tuvok. This is Kathryn we're talking about."

"Indeed it is, but the condition is that I be included in this mission."

Chakotay smiled. "And what will T'Pel say about her husband going off into the far reaches of the Alpha Quadrant."

Tuvok frowned as if that was an inane question. "She will only approve, Commander."

Laughing at this, Chakotay nodded his head. "Of course she would. All right you get us a ship. In the meantime I will start contacting some of my Maquis friends."

"I will do the best I can, Commander, but I give you no promises. I will let you know." He hesitated before signing off and then added a quiet, "Thank you, Commander Chakotay. We will find her if she is alive."

Chakotay nodded and both screens went black. He leaned back in his chair and his mind started racing as he thought of his former Maquis comrades, and mentally checked the names he felt would be of great help in this search.

* * * * *

The next day Chakotay checked his Padd containing the list of names he had considered and then added two more names. The first person he contacted was Ken Dalby. Although a Starfleet hater he had begrudgingly learned to respect them while on Voyager and Chakotay knew he liked Kathryn, although he wouldn't readily admit it

After the opening pleasantries, Chakotay explained his call. Dalby sat impassively as he listened and when Chakotay was finished, and still without any expression, he said quietly, "I'm in. When do we leave?"

Chakotay smiled. "Not so fast Ken. We only decided this a few hours ago. I have a lot of calls to make to try and find some good people for my crew."

"I know where Ayala and Chell are. You want me to contact them?"

"Ayala is on my list, but I'm not too sure about Chell."

"He's a good man, Chief. I don't think he'll let us down. If nothing else, he can help in non-critical ways."

Chakotay thought about it for a moment and finally said, "All right. Call him but I want to talk to him before committing to him."

"Good enough. You want me to come to your cabin? I'm not doing anything now. I can help you plan or do whatever you want me to do."

"Good idea, but don't come here for a couple of days, and then slip in. Above all, don't be seen coming to my cabin, okay?"

"Okay, Chief. I'll see you in a couple of days. Meantime I'll contact Ayala and then ask Chell to call you."

Both men signed off.

Chakotay continued his quest to find good people for this mission, people he felt he could trust implicitly. A week went by and although busy trying to search out people he wanted on his team, several times he felt compelled to call Tuvok, but knew in his heart Tuvok would call him when his mission had been successful. Consequently, he forced himself to hold off contacting him, but it took all of his will power.

He now had ten former Maquis lined up who were eager to help find Kathryn. If Tuvok got a small attack ship, the crew would probably be 20-30 men, and he didn't want any more than that. Any survivors found would be from covert spying and that had to be small teams, plus they had to have room in the ship for any survivors they did find.

Chakotay leaned back. He had to find Kathryn! She couldn't be dead - she just couldn't be! Not Kathryn! Even if she was, he had to be sure; he had to dispel all doubt that was in his mind.

He turned and looked at Ken who was poring over maps he had 'procured' of the sector where The Barton had disappeared. Chakotay didn't even want to ask how he got them

"Hey Chief," he said as he still looked at the maps. "There are about ten planets in that sector, all pretty widely spaced, but you know, the Captain could be anywhere, not necessarily even in that sector," he said glancing up.

Chakotay nodded. "I know, and that will take time plus some great intelligence work to determine just where we start searching. It's not going to be easy, Ken," he added with resignation in his voice.

"Hey if the Captain is alive, we'll find her. She's a tough old bird and is probably alive somewhere. If she's dead, then she 'went down with the ship' knowing her."

Chakotay grinned at the 'tough old bird' remark. Kathryn was tough, and stubborn, and had cheated death several times over in the Delta Quadrant. Ken was right though. If she was dead she went down with the ship. That would be her way.

"Besides," continued Dalby, "Starfleet ain't doing nothing but sending those stupid messages out. It's up to the Maquis to prove our worth once again," and he laughed.

Chakotay smiled and then turned and glanced at the calendar. It had been seven days since he talked to Tuvok and again he was sorely tempted to place a call to him. Rubbing his chin he thought of doing that and lifted his hand, but once again held his restlessness in check and decided to wait for the Vulcan's call.

He glanced down at his Padd and looked at the names of people who had quickly agreed to assist on this mission.

While looking at the list Dalby looked over at him and asked what people he had so far.

Well, it's not complete yet but so far it's a pretty diverse group. There is Ayala, Tabor, Gerron, Henley, Chell, Brooks, Fitzpatrick, Snake Eyes and White Cloud and, believe it or not Rebecca Sullivan."

"Sully? Eddington's wife?" asked a surprised Dalby. "I thought she was killed along with him."

"Nope, and when Fitzpatrick told me she was alive, I immediately contacted her. She was quick to agree and I'm glad to have her on this mission. She has a brilliant mind."

"And how. She really had Starfleet fooled that one time into believing the Maquis had launched a massive missile attack against Cardassia Prime," he said while laughing. "She might be getting a little old but as you say she has a brilliant and tricky mind. Who else?"

"This will surprise you. It's Chadwick from Starfleet Intelligence."

"Starfleet! How come?"

"He was recommended to me by Rebecca. She said he had sympathies for the Maquis and is excellent at finding and interpreting intelligence. I know you don't particularly care for Starfleet Ken, but . . ."

"Hey it's Starfleet itself I'm not fond of, but Starfleeters are a different thing, especially after my experience on Voyager. Some of those guys were real good people. Speaking of names, do you have Mulchaey on that list? He was pretty darn good out there in the Delta Quadrant."

"No I don't. Do you think he will fit?"

"Look Chief, have I ever led you wrong?" As Chakotay looked over at him with a raised eyebrow, Dalby laughed. "Okay I better rephrase that. But yeah, I think he would be okay."

"Okay. I remember him now. He was the one that had his DNA sampled with the resulting birth of that Borg 'One'. I'll see if I can find his number. Yeah, you're right, he was a good man. Okay if he agrees that gives us twelve and then with you, Tuvok and me we have a total of fifteen. We need about twenty to help run the ship to my way of thinking, but not many beyond that."

"What about some of Voyager's old crew? They were pretty loyal to Janeway."

"There are a few I'm considering, but many of them retired or are off on other assignments and I don't think Starfleet will release them for this. We are doing this covertly remember."

Dalby nodded and then asked, "What kind of ship is Tuvok trying to get us?"

"I've asked for a small attack ship . . . I'm hoping he can get something in the Defiant or Saber class, but it has to have cloaking."

Dalby smirked at that causing Chakotay to ask, "What?"

"It doesn't matter if he can't get cloaking. I think we still have some of those beauties stored on that asteroid in the Badlands from the help we got one time from a race that shall remain nameless."

Chakotay looked incredulously at Dalby. "Are you sure there are some left? I thought they had all been used or destroyed."

"I happen to have some time. Want me to take one of our old ships and take a look?"

"No, not yet, let's wait and see what Tuvok comes up with. Besides, with all the traveling I've been doing seeing former Maquis, it wouldn't surprise me that Starfleet is still keeping tabs on us and now wondering what I'm up to, whether we are going to stage another uprising," he said with a chuckle.

Dalby went back to studying his maps and Chakotay thought of a few names of former crewmembers from Voyager that might be willing to help on this mission. He rubbed his chin - he needed special skills for this mission, so just loyalty to the Captain wouldn't be enough. He leaned his head back and thought about all the Voyager crew. Harry Kim would be excellent at OPS but he was on another mission, he knew that for sure. Paris was the best pilot, but he was also somewhere on a mission. B'Elanna would be excellent, but he wouldn't ask her, not with a husband and daughter now. He just wouldn't put her at risk. Shaking his head he sighed, stood and walked out on the deck and proceeded to stretch mightily.

Starting tomorrow some of the team would start slipping into town. They would come in singly so as to not arouse any suspicion, browse around town for a while, then slip into the woods and make their way here. By tomorrow night probably five or six of them would be here and they could start making some of their 'devious' plans, as Tuvok said. It would be good to see them Chakotay thought and although it was going to make his cabin very crowded, they were used to hard times, so sleeping on his cabin floor wouldn't bother them. He started to stretch again but at that moment Ayala stepped around the corner of the cabin.

Both men grinned at one another as they shook hands.

"Hope you don't mind my slipping in a bit early Chakotay. I got restless," he said.

"Not at all, my friend," he said "Ken is inside, and both men stepped into the cabin.

During the night Snake Eyes and White Cloud, his two Native American friends walked quietly into the cabin and the next night Gerron, Tabor, Sullivan, Chell and Chadwick slipped into town unobserved and made their way to join the group. Mulchaey, Henley and Brooks arrived shortly thereafter. The cabin was getting pretty crowded, but they spent most of their time going over the maps and discussing possible exploration areas. Chadwick had brought with him a lot of his information on that sector and spent a great deal of time on Chakotay's console, contacting various people for more information, under the guise of his Starfleet role in Intelligence.

Chakotay made one trip into town for food and when the storekeeper expressed surprise at the amount, Chakotay merely said he was starting to stock up for the upcoming winter, and as a hard winter had been predicted, the man accepted his answer without question.

Fitzpatrick was the last to arrive, coming in during the middle of the night and surreptitiously entering Chakotay's cabin, but instead of waking anybody up, merely found a place to lie down and that's where he was found the next morning.

"Still as sneaky as ever, huh Fitz?" said Chakotay the next morning when he saw him.

Fitz slightly raised his head, peered at Chakotay with one eye, and then lay his head back down as he said, "Quiet, genius asleep," which brought a roar of laughter from everyone.

Another three days went by and Chakotay managed to get four more people added to his team. They were from Voyager's crew and would brazenly fly into town the next day. Chakotay would be in town, they would unexpectedly bump into each other and he would invite them to his cabin. Following this loud demonstration in front of any townspeople, they would purchase a lot of groceries, with no one questioning of the amount this time. This would make an already crowded cabin even worse, but no one even thought of that. The mission was primary on everyone's mind at this point. It also gave them a Shuttle, which these four had loaned from Starfleet for the trip.

At 1900 hours of the tenth day since receiving that shocking call About Kathryn, Chakotay received his long awaited call from Tuvok.

"Tuvok! I've been getting very anxious. What do you have for us?"

"Good news Commander. I have a Defiant-class ship, which will be on loan to Vulcan. Our Ambassador had to use much pressure and cajoling to get this, which accounts for the long delay. I, of course, had to tell the Ambassador the true purpose, but he was quite impressed with Captain Janeway from years ago and after some time was convinced our effort was needed."

"Excellent, Tuvok!" said Chakotay with a smile. "But did you get the cloaking device?"

"That was part of the delay. Even though Vulcan have their own cloaking ability, Starfleet was not disposed to let us use theirs, feeling their technology was greatly improved over ours, but yes, we do have a cloaking device. However, I must warn you, I think Starfleet installed an old version."

Both Chakotay and Dalby laughed, causing Tuvok to raise an eyebrow. "I did not say anything funny, Commander. And seeing Mr. Dalby . . . I assume that means he is on this mission with us?"

"That I am Mr. Tuvok. You can't keep a good man down."

"Very well. I must also tell you Commander that Lt. Vorik also wishes to be included on this mission He thinks highly of the Captain and wishes to help find her."

"He's acceptable Tuvok, especially with his Engineering expertise. With him that gives us twenty people and that's about the limit I want."

"Twenty-two Commander," he corrected. "I have discreetly contacted two others whom I trust implicitly and they wish to come along. I have screened them completely, they are quite trustworthy and I feel would be valuable to our team. Both are Bajoran."


Chakotay smiled. "Bajoran, huh? Well we can use their fighting ability. They certainly made life miserable for the Cardassians. Will they follow orders from a former Starfleet Commander?"

"I assure you they will Commander. I was quite plain on that fact in our discussions. They accept you as the leader, based on your former Maquis history and tenure in the Delta Quadrant. Plus they respect Captain Janeway, although they have never met her, and feel this mission is worth the effort to determine her fate. They were quite adamant that she deserves no less than that, and I concur with that assessment."

"I fully agree. All rightTuvok, then our team is complete. I don't want anymore than twenty-two. When can we meet and get this ship?"

"The Vulcan authority has been advised they may pick it up at the Utopia Planetia shipyard in five days. Starfleet has said they will give us a test run and then sign it over to Ambassador Saldek."

Chakotay frowned. "That presents a problem for the rest of us getting on board, Tuvok. Starfleet won't allow any former Maquis there, I'm sure."

"I agree. Perhaps we should think on this matter some more and make some other arrangements, Commander."

"I'll think on it and get back to you. Where are you now?"

"I am still on Vulcan, but will be catching a transport in three days at 0600 hours for Earth and will then be taken, by Starfleet, along with Ambassador Saldek to Utopia Planetia. This puts us in one day ahead of receiving the ship but the Ambassador has stated he wishes to make an inspection of the ship before the test demonstration. Contact me before that if you think of another plan."

"I will. Thank you for getting this ship, Tuvok. I realize it must have been hard."

"It's the least I can do. We must determine the fate of Captain Janeway. I will look for your call Commander." The screen then went black.

Chakotay leaned back and sighed. Following that he started rubbing at his chin. They had to figure out a way to get on the ship without Starfleet or the rest of the Vulcan force knowing what was going on.

During the night, talk was loud and sometimes vehement on thoughts concerning means to board that ship without the Vulcan staff that would supposedly fly it, or any Starfleet crewmember on board, from becoming suspicious.

At last they had a plan and despite the hour, Chakotay called Tuvok who listened intently as Chakotay described it.

"This is a rather rough draft Tuvok, and might need some changing or refining, but you said you are not leaving for three days so that gives us time to arrange this and pull it off.

"First off, we have a Starfleet shuttle, courtesy of four new members of our team who are currently on leave from Starfleet, are loyal to Kathryn and flew in yesterday. They have previously been assigned to Defiant class ships, so are familiar with them. I would then like you or Ambassador Saldek to somehow arrange for them to be included as part of the Starfleet crew that will demonstrate the ship. Their names are Simpson, Alderson, Rogers and Townsend. They are all Lt's.

"These men will also send a message to Starfleet saying they have heard of this demonstration, will be near Utopia that day and are willing to help out by volunteering their time to assist in showing the Vulcans the workings of the ship. By volunteering this allows Starfleet the luxury of avoiding moving other personnel around to be at Utopia for a demonstration only. To be sure they are included, your Ambassador mentions hearing this, knows them to be skilled in the Defiant class ships and insists on them being assigned to this test flight. Those four men have to be on that ship - that part can't be emphasized enough, Tuvok

"The four men, under the command of one of the Starfleet gentlemen, possibly with Alderson the pilot, then fly the shuttle they have to Utopia that day, with all of the Maquis hiding in the Cargo Bay and land in the shuttle bay of this ship you are getting, and again that's a critical part of the plan. These guys must be included in the roster of Starfleeters on that ship and cleared to land without any scanning or inspection so the rest of us won't be found. They will then join you for the official test and short demonstration Starfleet wants to do.

"In addition, have Ambassador Saldek mentions to Starfleet he has made previous arrangements to visit Earth and the ship can stop at the Earth Station, and all the Starfleet personnel will be able to beam off there."

Tuvok, who had been listening intently interjected, "That still leaves the Vulcan crew on board Commander."

Chakotay nodded. "I have studied this Defiant class ship, and all that is needed to fly it without any fancy maneuvers is around ten people. You have yourself, Vorik and the two Bajoran's. Have them travel with your party to Earth and request Ambassador Saldek to tell Starfleet the remaining members of the Vulcan crew are on leave but are expected to join the Ambassador's group at Earth Station and everyone can transport out together. As Starfleet never wants to insult the Vulcan honor, I'm sure they will agree to this."

Then Chakotay grinned. "This is the good part. Sully is going to disguise, Henley and Brooks as Vulcans and they are going to catch a Transport to Earth. We need to know your exact time of arrival so that they will be on Earth Station shortly before you arrive, find you and join your group going to Utopia. When you see them simply act as if they are part of the crew going with you, and with those four other team members that gives us eleven so called 'Vulcan crewmembers' that are supposed to learn how to fly this ship. Once we have the Starfleet crew beam off, the rest of us can come out of hiding." Chakotay then sighed. "I know this sounds rather complicated, in fact a lot complicated, but it is in the rough stages and only the rudiments of the plan."

Tuvok frowned deeply. "There is a flaw in your plan Commander. You still have only seven 'so called Vulcans' as you referred to them, and I am quite sure Starfleet will not turn over such a valuable ship to so few men, regardless of how good Vulcans are. Also are we to disguise the Bajoran's that will come with me?"

Chakotay was quiet a moment as these facts registered, and then with a frown and a big sigh he solemnly acknowledged the problem as he recalculated on the names.

"Might I suggest," said Tuvok, "that if you are so adept at disguising people as Vulcans, you disguise several more of your team to meet me at Earth Station?"

"You're right. I'll add Ayala, Chadwick and Mulchaey. Maybe Sully can also disguise herself," he said as he looked over at her. She nodded her head and held up her thumb and middle finger forming an 'O' for okay. "That leaves Gerron and Tabor who are Bajoran, Chell, Snake Eyes, White Cloud and Ken and I to hide in the Shuttle. That might be easier. Good thinking Tuvok."

Tuvok nodded but still had a frown on his face. "Something is still not quite right. I will spend the next hour evaluating this plan Commander and call you back. Meanwhile I suggest you also go over it again and again for any weakness. We cannot fail in obtaining this ship without Starfleet becoming suspicious. Once we have finalized this plan I will contact Ambassador Saldek. He has a direct line to Starfleet so any arrangements will not take long. I will get back to you Commander."

True to his word Tuvok called back in an hour, saying he had talked with the Ambassador and telling him of the disguises. "He was a little unsure how authentic that would be and whether we could pull that off. I attempted to assure him that the look would indeed be authentic, if I know you Maquis. As to the four Starfleet members, he suggested you all arrive at Earth Station in your shuttle and have the four members intermingle and visit with the 'Vulcans' until departure for Utopia. The Ambassador will then suggest to Starfleet their joining the group based on their experience with the Defiant Class ship. Apparently the crew that will do the demonstration will already be at Utopia making a pre-check of the systems and we can thus virtually ignore having to contact Starfleet and asking the addition of your four and thus run the risk of being turned down. If the Ambassador insists on them I do not believe Starfleet will object.

"It is even possible the entire group can transport to Utopia in your shuttle, making it positive your shuttle will easily be cleared to land in the Shuttle Bay of the ship. He also suggests, as to our Bajoran team members, that as they are currently students on Vulcan, that our High Priestess requests they be included as part of their education. Your team, of course, must remain hidden on board the shuttle."

Chakotay grinned as he heard the suggested changes. "You have a very sneaky Ambassador, Tuvok."

"Let's just say he is in favor of what we are attempting to do and wishes to help us succeed," said Tuvok dryly.

The two men continued their discussion for several minutes, setting up coordinated departure and arrival times, making sure of all facets of the plan and where they would meet. They then wished each other success and said they would see each other in three days.

* * * * *

The plan went as hoped. The disguised Vulcan's wandered around the Earth Station, stopped and talked to the four Starfleet men, were all introduced to Tuvok and Ambassador Saldek upon their arrival and then further conversation between the Ambassador and Admiral Roan, who was going out with them, resulted in the Admiral agreeing to the four men joining the crew on board the ship. As they got ready to depart Lt. Alderson suggested they all go in the Starfleet shuttle he had available. After only a slight hesitation and after hearing the Ambassador planned to visit Earth once the change over of the ship was completed, he agreed and everyone moved onto the shuttle for the trip to Utopia.

One hair-raising moment occurred when the Admiral decided he wanted to see the Cargo Bay of this shuttle but the Ambassador, taking hold of the Admiral's arm, said, quietly and yet firmly, "All cargo bays are basically the same Admiral. I wish to hear all about this ship you are being so kind to loan us." The Admiral didn't wish to offend Ambassador Saldek so sat back down and spent the entire trip talking about the ship. All the 'Vulcan's' listened intently.

Alderson was cleared to land in the shuttle bay and after every one debarked, proceeded to lock the shuttle using a special code he and Simpson had installed.

Soon the Defiant ship, named The Grant, left the dock and the crew started showing the 'Vulcan's' all the systems and their specificity. They demonstrated all the Phasers, explained the Torpedo bays, but did not fire any, went to the full warp 6, which was the maximum of this ship and demonstrated the Sensors. All life support and environmental systems were explained and demonstrated. After two hours, the Ambassador felt satisfied his crew could handle the ship and requested they head for Earth. Upon arrival, all the Starfleet crew beamed off the ship. All that is, except the four who were part of the Maquis team, and who had conveniently disappeared when the beam out's started.

At last it appeared the ship was theirs. The Ambassador and Admiral Roan signed the papers, and they were given to Tuvok and then the Ambassador and Admiral beamed off the ship.

Tuvok pressed a button for ships wide communication. "If there are any Starfleet personnel still on board, please report to the Transporter room. This ship is now Vulcan property and we request your immediate departure."

After a few minutes, Rogers, now in the Transporter room, contacted Tuvok. "Sir, there are no Starfleet crewmember on board the ship."

Tuvok turned to Alderson who had taken over at OPS. "Run an internal scanner for Starfleet Mr Alderson. We must be sure."

A few moments later Alderson reported the only occupants on board were 'us'.

"By that you mean the Maquis team Mr. Alderson?" asked Tuvok as Lt Townsend at Security snickered.

"Yes sir," replied Alderson with a slight blush.

Tuvok turned to Simpson, who was going to temporarily fly the ship. "Helm, set a course for the distant region of the Alpha Quadrant at full warp and Mr. Townsend, run our Sensors at full. I'm sure Starfleet is tracking us even as I speak and I wish to be out of their range as soon as possible."

"Aye sir, echoed both Simpson and Townsend.

After a few more moments, Townsend reported Starfleet's sensors were no longer in range.

"Very well. Helm, drop speed momentarily to Warp 1." He then tapped his Comm badge. "Mr Vorik?"

"Yes Commander," Vorik responded from Engineering.

"Would you be so kind as to go to the Shuttle Bay and let the rest of our team out?"

"Aye sir," and Vorik moved quickly to the Shuttle Bay. He punched in the code Alderson had given him and quickly moved through the shuttle to the cargo bay door and unlocked it. As he swung it open he came face to face with Chakotay pointing a phaser at his face.

"Easy, Commander. I do not believe that is necessary. The ship is now ours and we are currently out of range of Earth. You are all free to come out now."

Chakotay placed the phaser at his waist, smiled broadly at Vorik and slapped him on the back as he and the rest of the team moved out of the ship and into the Shuttle Bay. They quickly walked through the ship and onto the Bridge and Chakotay shook hands with Tuvok and then smiled at the other members on the bridge.

"Well done everyone. Well done. All right, you 'Vulcans,' have Sully take off the disguise and we will get to work. It will take us close to three weeks to reach that sector, even at full warp, so we all have a lot of time to learn the workings of this ship and discuss any plans.

No one moved.

Chakotay looked around and then looked at Tuvok.

"Tuvok? Is something wrong?"

"We have one additional crewmember I have not told you about Commander."

"Oh, who?" asked Chakotay.

"Me, Chakotay," blurted a feminine voice behind him.

Chakotay whirled around and saw B'Elanna standing at the bridge doorway.

"No, by God, no!" thundered Chakotay. He turned back to Tuvok with eyes blazing. "How could you do this!"

"She insisted on coming Commander, when she discovered the news about Captain Janeway. I could not persuade her to change her mind."

"Turn the ship back Simpson," yelled Chakotay. "I'm not endangering her life."

"Forget it Chakotay. It's my decision. I talked it over with Tom and he agreed with me. He would be here too if he hadn't had an assignment!"

"I won't endanger your life B'Elanna! You have a husband and a daughter now. I refuse to put you in this situation."

"It's too late Chakotay. You turn back now and you have ruined your whole mission and any chance we have of getting the Captain back. And face it Chakotay. I'm the best damn Engineer you have!"

They both glared at each other for several minutes while all the remaining crew stood or sat silently and just watched this confrontation.

Chakotay looked around. "Did you all know about this?"

Dalby cleared his throat. "Not until she came on board as part of the Starfleet crew. I told her you would be furious, but she went to Tuvok and talked to him . . . well growled would be more exact, as well as pleaded with him to be included."

"You need me Chakotay," she said in a softer tone. "And I want to help find the Captain. After all she did for me it's the least I can do."

Chakotay stared at her for several minutes and then his shoulders sagged in defeat. "All right, but in no way do I put you in danger. You remain with the ship and will not be assigned to any away teams. So help me, B'Elanna, if anything happens to you I'll kill you!"

The last made everyone burst out laughing, including B'Elanna, who then moved forward and gave Chakotay a hug. "We'll find her Chakotay," she whispered.

He hugged her back and nodded his head. "If she's alive we'll find her B'Elanna."

He then released her and gave her a shove. "Get to Engineering Lt." he said with a grin. "And all the rest of you, stop grinning like Cheshire cats and pay attention to your duties!"

As they moved off he sat down in the command chair and gave a hard look at Tuvok, who was now moving to the Security station, while Sullivan took the 'Vulcans' to a room and removed their Vulcan disguise. Once that was accomplished the Maquis turned their attention to the duty at hand . . . that of finding Captain Janeway.

* * * * *

The Zhahare Mine

Kathryn groaned as she attempted to lift a rock into the rock carrier. At last she got it on the edge and rolled it in, took a deep breath and moved for another one. How long had they been here anyway? It felt like a year, but was likely about six months. She had given up trying to keep track of time long ago and concentrated only on putting one foot in front of the other and lasting the day. She knew they had lost some of the surviving crew. Yesterday she saw Ensign Smith being carried out and wasn't even allowed to go touch her or tell her goodbye.

Ensign Scott staggered by her on his way to dump his rock in the bin but hardly looked at her. Picking up as small a rock as she could find she walked to the bin but struggled to get it high enough to drop in. Scott slipped one hand under the rock and helped her get it to the edge, and then turned to head for his rock pile.

"Thank you," muttered Kathryn quietly. "Are you doing okay Ensign?"

"I'm making it Captain," he whispered as he walked off

A whistle was heard and everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and headed for the mouth of the cave. It was lunchtime if you could call it that. Most of the time it was watered-down soup and a piece of dry bread, but occasionally it had meat in it. Her clothes hung on her and she knew she had lost a great deal of weight, but so had everyone else. To be truthful, she was surprised she and most of her crewmembers were still alive. The working conditions were brutal and it was only their previous physical condition and sheer willpower that was keeping them going.

As she moved out into the sunlight she shaded her eyes from the glare. There was every race imaginable here with some she had no idea who or what they were. As she moved into the line she looked around for her people. She spotted Lt. Adams quite a ways back and he caught her eye and nodded his head. Then she saw Ensign Scott who just seemed to stand in a daze outside the line. One man nearby reached out and pulled him into the line and Kathryn felt gratitude toward that stranger.

Everyone seemed to look out for one another here; friend or stranger it didn't matter. They were all suffering at the hands of these monsters. She then caught sight of three more of her crew up ahead, and yes she was sure that was Ensign Aster over there. Every day she attempted to look for her crew at this time and at least make eye contact with them. The only time they could talk was of an evening when back at their quarters, but at this point in time, when they got back they were now too tired to even talk. And worst of all, sometimes when they got back there would be an empty bed and she had pain in her heart. From twenty-one they were down to fifteen now. She concentrated on trying to remember their names vowing silently they would be remembered!

Slowly she shuffled forward and had her 'soup' dumped in her bowl. A slice of bread was thrown onto her plate, but she caught it before it dropped into the soup. Looking around she spotted an open space, sat down and started to drink her soup. They didn't give them any utensils to eat with. Probably figured they would be used as a weapon and they were right if she had anything to do with it.

As she drank her soup, she knew it wouldn't be long before the whistle blew, signifying they had to return to work. Those poor devils at the end of the line sometimes had to virtually drink their meal as they headed back into the mines, and sometimes didn't even get any if the line was slow. She had learned that lesson the hard way early on; by trying to make sure her crew got in line and got food she had missed out. That night they had impressed on her that she must get her food and not worry about them. They would be in line.

The whistle blew shortly and with a big sigh she put her plate down and headed for the mine entrance. Lt Adams walked up beside her.

"We lost Ensign Smith yesterday," he said in a monotone voice.

"I know. I saw them carry her out. We must remember all the names Lt., she mumbled as she entered the mine. "We must remember their names."

"We will Captain," he said as they each turned down their assigned shaft.

That night it was all Kathryn could do to take her shoes off. She didn't even bother removing her clothes and just lay down on the cot. At least they had given them one blanket and that helped. One night it was so cold, the entire group had gathered together in the center of the room and using all the blankets had crowded together and attempted to keep each other warm with their own body heat. However, when the guard found them that way they all received five lashes each. After that they made sure they were back on their cots before dawn and were not caught again.

Some of those who received the lashes developed infection, but the captors paid no attention and they were not treated, so Kathryn did her best to wash them out each morning and night as well as placing fresh strips of cloth on them.

She herself had developed a bad chest cold a month ago and still felt the remnants of it. She felt lucky it hadn't developed into pneumonia and decided it was her last shots from Starfleet that were protecting her from some of the diseases she saw people come down with.

"Captain?" In the gray of her mind she recognized Lt. Adams voice.

"Yes," she said as she attempted to sit up.

"I don't think Ensign Masters is going to make it through the night. I was just with him and he's pretty bad. He's virtually delirious and burning up."

Adams helped her to her feet and they both walked slowly back to Masters' cot. She felt his forehead. Adams was right, he was burning with fever.

"Captain," he croaked.

"Sshhh," she said as she took hold of his hand.

"I'm not going to make it am I?"

"You are going to be all right. Now believe, fight, be determined to live this nightmare out and go home."

He smiled. "Nice try Captain," he said in a weak voice. Hide my blanket so you all can have it and somebody take my shoes. I know some of the crew's are wearing thin."

"You are going to make it Masters," said Adams. "Don't talk that way."

He coughed and blood dribbled from his mouth, which Kathryn quickly wiped away.

"Don't forget my name, Captain," he said softly. "Someone tell my parents I died like a man." And then he took one last breath and was gone.

Despite her rank, Kathryn started crying as she softly and gently stroked his hair. "Oh God, I am so sorry," she whispered.

Adams took hold of her shoulders and squeezed. "He's better off than the rest of us, Captain. I envy him."

"Don't talk like that!" she said, raising her voice and standing. "We have to believe we are going to make it out of here. Believe it, all of you, damn it," she said looking at the rest of the room. Believe!"

Adams quietly led her back to her cot and as she lay down he headed for his, neither looking over at Masters still form. Kathryn continued to sob into her blanket. She felt so frustrated, so helpless. There wasn't anything she could do to help them.

Soon the only sounds were occasional groans, sighs and a few snores, from those who actually fell into a deep sleep.

Kathryn lay there, unable to sleep and listened to the various noises around her. She thought once again, as she did every night of Chakotay. It was thoughts of him at night that seemed to give her strength, almost as if he was reaching out to her in a vision quest. She knew he wasn't, but still it seemed to instill a will in her to persevere and she was bound and determined this mine, and these monstrous people were not going to kill her. She had survived the Borg, the Hirogen, Species 8472, the Vidiian, the Kazon and God knows how many others that she couldn't even remember now, she was so tired. She thought of B'Elanna and Tom and their daughter Miral, of Harry Kim who grew to manhood on Voyager and of all the Maquis who became her family.

She had fought for their freedom when they returned to Earth and they seemed not only grateful but to respect her and of that, she was most proud. But most of all she thought of Chakotay and wondered if he was happy now. Slowly her mind numbed and she fell asleep

* * * *

The Grant

Chakotay sat on the floor of his cabin, eyes closed, thinking of Kathryn. He really wasn't using a vision quest but was reflecting on his time with her in the Delta Quadrant. Her face came into view and she smiled at him. It was so real he smiled back.

"I'll find you Kathryn," he said softly. "If you are alive I swear I will find you."

A soft knock on his door roused him from his meditation and upon opening the door he saw Tuvok.

"Commander we are coming up on a planet and do need to replenish our supplies."

"All right. Uncloak the ship and have Rogers act as Captain this time," he said with a smile.

With a Starfleet ship and four legitimate Starfleet personnel on board, no make that six with B'Elanna and Vorik, they could de-cloak The Grant when neared a planet and obtain supplies. They did this a week ago at the first planet they came to and at that time Simpson acted as Captain. The team seemed to enjoy this charade and it gave them a chance to make some inquiries about the missing Captain Janeway as well as inquire about any rumors concerning any ships that seemed intent on destroying or capturing people.

They had heard of Captain Janeway being missing at the last planet, but could not offer any more information. As the ship hailed this upcoming planet the Maquis slipped out of sight and the Starfleet members stepped into prominent view. They even had B'Elanna and Vorik come up from Engineering.

Sadly no information was obtained but they were able to barter for some fresh fruits and vegetables, which would help the morale. Replicated food became tiresome after a while.

Soon they were on their way and initiated the cloak once again. They had been flying now at Warp six for almost two weeks and had a week yet to go before reaching the designated sector.

To alleviate boredom, Chakotay had Tuvok run some drills to keep the minds sharp and although the crew did not particularly like this they knew it was necessary. Sullivan and Chadwick kept poring over information and sending out sensors in the hope of making some kind of valuable contact or obtaining information. Maps were studied, but everyone had agreed that even though The Barton had been blown up in a particular sector, it did not mean any survivors were on a nearby planet. Still, they had to start there.

Another planet came into sensor range and it was Alderson's turn to be Captain. Chakotay had never been this far out in the Alpha Quadrant so everything was now new, not only to him, but everyone else, Tuvok included.

At last they were within two days travel of their destination and Chakotay ordered the ship stopped so B'Elanna and the rest of the Engineering staff could not only check out all the drives and systems, but also service or initiate any repairs that might even look necessary. It was especially important the Cloaking Device be in top notch shape once they were in that sector and that was the first thing B'Elanna checked over.

B'Elanna did not know that while the group was still at the cabin Dalby, on orders from Chakotay, had slipped out with Simpson one midnight and headed to the Badlands where they searched the cave Dalby thought had some equipment.

Chakotay had been glad he had ordered this clandestine trip when he saw the device, as Dalby's memory had been right and they had found a Cloaking device. It was currently stowed on the Shuttle in the Cargo Bay and although it was old and out-dated it could be installed on the shuttle or even used for parts if anything happened to the one on the Grant. While Chakotay helped her inspect the cloaking device on The Grant, he remembered to mention the old one in the shuttle to her, and her response was a big smile.

After a day and a half B'Elanna pronounced everything 100% and that they had even installed the old cloaking device on the shuttle, giving them the advantage of two cloaked ships now. Warp 6 was again entered, the ship cloaked and headed for their destination.

<><><>

"We are in the target area, Chakotay," announced Fitzpatrick from OPS. "Nothing is currently showing on sensors."

"Very well. Let's all keep a sharp lookout, both at our consoles and visually. If sensors even twitch at an anomaly I want to know about it. And make sure our cloaking device stays on. Out here that's going to be invaluable in our search."

Days went by without sighting anything. Sensors showed only empty space.

Chadwick looked up from a map. "There should be a planet about a day from here, Chakotay." Chakotay walked over and looked where he pointed and then told Ayala, now at OPS to keep a sharp lookout and to pull the sensor range in a bit.

"Even though we are cloaked, I don't want anybody getting curious and wondering where those sensor signals are coming from."

When they arrived at the planet they made contact, told them they were on a mission to find a missing Starfleet vessel but were unable to obtain any information. The President had merely said, he had actually heard of many vessels becoming lost in this area of space, but had no other information.

They searched and searched and only once came upon a bit of old debris. After hauling it into their Cargo Bay B'Elanna determined it was a piece from some ship, but not Starfleet.

Nerves became taught as day after day they stealthily moved around the sector, without discovering anything. Then one day they caught sight of an old freighter and watched it closely for a full day, and eventually determined it was not their target and again went on their way.

"Maybe we should have contacted them Chief, and asked some questions," said Dalby.

Chakotay just shook his head. "It just didn't seem right somehow. I felt they were just what we saw, a freighter."

A week went by and they made contact with two other planets, but still did not obtain any information. At one planet Chakotay got an eerie feeling. Either they were afraid to say anything or really didn't know anything as they professed, but he could not shake that feeling he had about that planet.

"I too felt uneasy about that man, Commander. Perhaps they do have information but are unable to pass it on for fear of their lives," Tuvok said.

"A hunch, Tuvok," said Chakotay with a grin.

"Vulcan's do not get hunches, Commander. It was a logical assumption on my part based on his behavior."

Chakotay smiled and said to make a note of that planet for possible future reference and then indicated for Townsend to continue on.

* * * * *

The Mine Takes Its Toll

Kathryn was getting weaker and she knew it. But it was not just her alone, as in the past week they had lost two more crewmembers. Everyone was becoming sick and weak from lack of food and too much work. Even Lt Adams was beginning to drag and he was about the strongest of the whole crew.

She made a point of sitting with him at lunch and asked how he was doing.

"Surviving, Captain," he said with a smile. "Barely, but surviving."

"It's beginning to affect us all. I feel much weaker myself and almost sick to my stomach every day."

"How long have we been here anyway?"

"I'm not sure, but I would guess about six to eight months. I'm surprised any of us are still alive, to tell you the truth."

"Quiet, wench!" yelled a guard as he walked by.

Kathryn turned to look at him and was immediately hit across the face with his fist.

"Do not look at me. Keep your head down!"

Adams stood up. "Don't hit her. She didn't do anything!"

The guard set upon him, clubbing him in the head with the butt of his rifle. As he collapsed to the ground the guard started viciously kicking him. Adams clutched at his ribs and groaned while Kathryn yelled for the guard to stop. Instead she was clubbed on the head and collapsed unconscious. Another guard joined the first and added a few kicks of his own to both of them.

Neither Kathryn nor Adams moved and the Captain of the guards moved over to look at them.

"Throw some water on them. If they cannot work then shoot them!"

Both Kathryn and Adams spluttered and coughed as the water splashed on their faces and they gradually opened their eyes. Ensign Scott came over and kneeled down by them.

"Please get up Captain," he whispered. "They said they would kill you if you didn't," he whispered as he assisted them to a sitting position.

Slowly both Kathryn and Adams got to their knees and then with Scott's help managed to struggle to their feet. As they stood there with their legs wobbling and barely keeping them upright, the guards laughed and walked off, with one yelling back, "See to it that they go to work when the whistle blows."

A man sitting nearby who had watched the whole thing said, "You best try to work. They mean it when they say they will kill you if you don't. I've seen them do it lady, so for your sake, do your best. At least stay on your feet. That's how you survive here, stay on your feet."

Kathryn, with blood running down her cheek nodded and turned to Adams and gently felt at his ribs. He groaned and his legs might have given way if Scott had not been holding onto him. Kathryn feared he might have some broken ribs, but if not broken they were badly bruised. Her back hurt where she was kicked but as she was able to move, felt the injury was just some deep bruising.

A few moments later the whistle blew, ending lunch and the two of them, with Ensign Scott hovering nearby to assist if needed, staggered and stumbled back toward the mine. Kathryn reached her station and told Adams to 'be strong Lt' as he shuffled down his corridor to his station. He didn't have the strength to answer or even nod his head in acknowledgment. Kathryn watched him. It was going to be hard for him to lift anything today and she just hoped and prayed he came back to their quarters when the whistle blew signifying the end of this work day.

The day seemed to drag and she managed to continue working, just barely enough to avoid the wrath of the guard. The old man was right, she thought. If you kept on your feet and moved, no matter how slow, they didn't badger you that much. If they would only realize that if they treated the prisoners better they would get more work out of them. At last the whistle blew ending the shift and she turned and stumbled gratefully toward the entrance and then to her cot in their quarters.

She was shocked to see two more empty beds and wondered momentarily who they were. Forcing her mind to think she recalled the beds were McGuire's and Webster's but she couldn't seem to remember their first names. She didn't even have the energy to shed one tear.

She looked around and saw Adams just as he lay down on his cot. Relieved he had made it through the afternoon with his rib injuries, she lay down herself, groaning softly. Her stomach cramped and she doubled up as she clutched at her belly. Gradually the pain lessened and she suddenly realized for the first time, that she just might not make it out of this hellhole. Dying didn't bother her. What did is that no one would know how or where!

* * * * *

The Attack

Chakotay sat in the command chair staring vacantly out the view screen. They hadn't seen anything since their arrival in this sector except those two planets and that one freighter. No mind, they would stay here and search forever if that's what it took.

"I have a small ship, Chakotay," said Fitzgerald's voice from OPS.

"Where?" asked Chakotay as he rose and headed for OPS.

"About one million kilometers away," Fitz replied softly. Then he frowned. "Strange," he muttered, as if to himself.

"What?" asked Chakotay.

"There is another ship about a million kilometers southeast from that small ship. See? Right here?" he said as he pointed to a pinprick of light.

"Yes I see it. So?" asked Chakotay.

"He's moving on a direct intercept course for the small ship." He frowned again and shook his head slightly and again muttered, "Strange."

"What's strange about it, Fitz? He said in an irritated voice. "They will obviously see one another and not collide."

"I'm not sure, Chakotay. Just a gut feeling I have," he mused. Then he frowned again. "The small ship has now gone to warp, but . . . yep, the big ship is matching it!"

Chakotay looked over Fitz' shoulder at his console and studied the readout.

Suddenly Fitz looked up. "The small ship has changed course and the big ship is matching it, speed and direction!"

"What do you think that means?"

"All I'm seeing is this panel, but if you want my guess, I'd say that big ship is stalking the other one. He has matched every speed and course change."

"Are we on an intercept course to see both of them visually?"

"Not exactly. We have to move about 100,000 kilometers."

"Give the coordinates for intercept to White Cloud at Helm," said Chakotay, "and stay on it. Dalby make sure we are fully cloaked. B'Elanna, Vorik," he said as he tapped his Comm badge, "I hope your engines are 100% healthy, as we might need a quick jump to warp. Ayala and Simpson go down to the Cargo Bay and make sure everything is secure. Take Alderson, Snake and Chell with you." He then tapped the ships wide Comm button and said, "This is Chakotay. We might have some action soon as we have something very interesting we are watching on our sensors, so everyone in a quiet mode now. Stay alert." He turned to Tuvok at Security and smiled. "This might be what we are looking for," and sat down in his command chair.

"In position Chakotay," said White Cloud from Helm.

"Let's have visual on that area Fitz."

The screen blinked for a moment and then they saw two specks of light. It was obvious even to a beginner of space travel that the one light was heading directly for the other.

"The small ship can't outrun the other ship, Chakotay," said Fitz in a calm voice. "The big guy will catch the other one in about twenty seconds."

Everyone on the bridge stared at the viewscreen, watching the two lights with intensity as they moved closer until at last they could be seen as ships to the naked eye.

"He's trying to evade him but every move is being matched," said Fitz. Flashes of light lashed out from the larger ship, hitting its prey. The small ship quickly changed direction, but was soon hit again. It turned trying desperately to evade the large ship, but to no avail as the attacking ship continued to fire. The small ship was returning fire now but it was like a small rock being thrown at a lion as their phasers just seemed to bounce off the large ship.

B'Elanna had slipped up to the Bridge and was now watching this firefight. "Why is he shooting at that ship? What happened?"

"We don't know," replied Chakotay as he stared intently at the battle.

The two ships danced, twisting and turning as they continued to fire at one another. Several large explosions occurred on the smaller ship and suddenly it seemed to shudder and then sat still.

"Their engines are offline," reported Fitz.

The large ship continued to fire at the defenseless ship and two more small explosions were seen. Then hatches all over the hull started opening and emergency escape pods could be seen coming out.

"The crew is abandoning ship," said Fitz calmly, and then added, "Well I guess that's obvious. You can all see that."

The big ship stopped firing and sat silently. At last no more pods were seen coming from the destroyed ship and within moments it exploded in a ball of fire.

"Oh my God," whispered B'Elanna. "Those poor souls."

Suddenly the large ship moved and fired at the nearest pod, destroying it.

"What the hell," muttered Dalby.

"What are they doing?" yelled B'Elanna.

Another pod and then another was shot down.

"Chakotay, they are murdering those people. We have to stop them!" she cried out.

"We can't," Chakotay responded in a choked whisper.

"What do you mean we can't? Start firing at that ship. Stop them!"

"We can't do that B'Elanna," he repeated softly.

She stormed over to him, her eyes blazing. "What the hell do you mean we can't? This ship has the firepower. We can help them!"

"It would give away our position, B'Elanna. In my gut I know that's the ship that destroyed Kathryn's ship and it's likely what happened to their pods. We can't let that big ship know we are here!"

"That's crazy. We have to help those people! We can't just let them die like that! That's inhumane. It's murder!"

"I'm sorry."

"You coward! You sniveling son of a bitch coward! I hate you!" yelled B'Elanna

"I know," whispered Chakotay as he watched the carnage with eyes glistening. "I know . . . I hate myself."

B'Elanna growled, spat a Klingon curse at him, swung a fist and hit him on the cheek. Chakotay's head twisted for a moment, but he didn't even look at B'Elanna as she once again yelled, "I hate you, you murdering bastard!" and stomped off the bridge.

No one else on the bridge had said a word, but they understood both Chakotay's reasons and B'Elanna's reaction. They felt revulsion for what they were seeing, they felt helpless at not being able to do anything - but they understood.

Chakotay, with tears now showing on his cheeks, sat with fists clenched as he continued to watch one pod after another being destroyed. Finally there were only two left.

The big ship sat silently before the last two pods, but had stopped firing. Moments passed and he still did not make a move or fire.

"What's he up to?" asked White Cloud softly at Helm.

"Yeah, what's he waiting for? Get it over with you bastard!" yelled Chad.

"He seems to be studying the last two pods," said Sully who had sat silently in the background the whole time.

A bright light flashed towards one pod and latched on. "He's tractoring one pod," said Fitz. After that pod disappeared into the bowels of the ship the other Pod was caught in a tractor. With both pods now inside, the big ship turned and slowly headed away.

"Follow that bastard White Cloud," snarled Chakotay, "And whatever you do don't lose him! He's the one we want. I'm sure that's what he did to Kathryn's ship!" That said Chakotay left the bridge and went to his cabin. As soon as the door was shut he turned and slammed his fist into the bulkhead, dropped to his knees and started saying over and over "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

An hour later his door slid open. Chakotay, sitting on the floor, his knees flexed and his face buried in his arms, finally glanced up. B'Elanna stood in the open doorway.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hi."

She slowly walked in, hesitated, and then dropped to her knees in front of him, leaving the door open.

"I'm sorry, Chakotay."

"No need, B'Elanna."

"Yes there is a need. I need to apologize, Chakotay. Knowing you as I do, that must have been the hardest thing in the world for you to do, and what I called you and what I said was uncalled for."

"It's okay," said Chakotay with a wan smile. "Because it was a terrible thing to do and I was calling myself those same names."

"I'll never forgive myself for calling you those names. I do understand why, but still . . ." She sighed. "I'll never forgive myself."

"Neither will I B'Elanna, neither will I. That will haunt me for the rest of my life."

She reached out suddenly and hugged him and after a moment he hugged her back, and they clung tightly to one another for several minutes, both knowing there were tears in the other's eyes. Finally she pulled back.

"He's our man isn't he? He did the same thing to the Captain's ship."

"I'm sure of it."

"I can't even imagine the horror, the revulsion, the anger Captain Janeway must have felt seeing that. Do you think . . . and then she stopped, not wanting to finish the sentence.

"I'm sure the action was the same. He didn't destroy the last two pods, but what makes me very sure, is that he waited while all the pods ejected, as if he was studying each one for something, someone. It's my guess he scanned Kathryn's pod and determined the officers were in it and as officers are supposed to be mentally stronger and superior he saves them for some reason, some purpose."

"That's why we are following him, to find out where and what?"

"I hope so B'Elanna. I hope he leads us to the answer."

A clearing of the throat from the door was heard and both turned and saw Tuvok.

"I do not wish to disturb you, but would like to ask if you are all right Commander?"

Chakotay smiled and rose to his feet, helping B'Elanna also. "I'll be okay Tuvok. Are we still on his tail?"

"We are keeping him on our viewscreen, Commander. Mr Fitzgerald reports there isn't any nearby planet, so it appears he comes from some distance . . . to search and murder, for whatever reason."

Chakotay just nodded his head. "Is the crew all right?"

"They appear so, but I could ascertain looking in their eyes the revulsion they felt for what happened, and the hate that I now see."

"It wasn't easy to watch. We will all probably have nightmares about that for years to come. Well, I think I'll walk around the ship. Who has the Bridge?"

"I have placed White Cloud in charge while I came to see you."

"Fine. He has better eyes than our sensors. If you want some time off take it." He turned to B'Elanna who stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. "Come on. I'll walk you back to Engineering."

"You're going to have a bruise," she murmured looking at his face.

"A badge of honor from a very mad Klingon," chuckled Chakotay, and the two friends headed down the corridor, each with an arm around the other's waist.

Meanwhile, the big ship, with its human cargo, headed for its home world of Zhahare, completely unaware Chakotay was behind him.

* * * * *

It was almost ten days before Fitz reported a planet in the distance.

"Keep a close eye on our man," said Chakotay quietly.

The bridge was silent, with everyone paying attention to their duties and with occasional glances at the view screen. At last the ship entered orbit and finally stopped above a large land mass.

"This must be where he was heading," mused Sullivan.

The crew sat and watched and waited. At last a transport departed from the large vessel and headed for the surface.

"Track him Fitz," said Chakotay. "Find out exactly what he does with those people.

Fitz tapped constantly at his console while Sullivan worked furiously on hers. Chadwick sat beside her, quietly and intently watching the screen.

At last Fitz looked up. "He has landed at a port in what seems the only city on this hemisphere, Chakotay."

"How close can you get your scanners?"

"I'm as close as I can get. No visual on what's happening."

"Chief," said Dalby. "Remember awhile back we decided to install that old cloaking device on the shuttle just in case? Well, B'Elanna says it's working perfectly."

Chakotay nodded, understanding what Dalby was saying. He stood and looked at the viewscreen a moment and then turned toward Sullivan.

"Sully, Chadwick, it's your baby now. This is why you are on this team. Come up with a plan and some answers. The rest of you put your thinking caps on and be ready for any suggestions. Our mission to save the Captain and any other of her crewmembers is down there," he said as he angrily pointed to the planet

* * * * *

Staying On Their Feet


Kathryn could not move. The morning whistle had blown indicating it was time to get up. They were allowed one half hour to dress, get that watery soup and report outside. She lay there thinking about the last few weeks. Once a week the water was turned on for a shower and she had been so sick two weeks ago she didn't even get up for her shower. She had thrown up twice during that day and noticed blood both times. She groaned as she thought of going to the shower room.

When they first got here she impressed on the people to take their showers when it was scheduled, to not miss no matter how they felt. It would help them to feel clean and healthy, and they had complied. She had eagerly sought out the shower, soaping herself and her hair thoroughly. Gradually this had changed until it was all she could do to get under the water and just stand there and let it beat down on her for the five minutes they were allotted.

Last week Lt Adams helped her into the back room for the shower and she didn't even try to take off her clothes, just stood under the water, while placing her hand on the wall for support. Everyone else was virtually doing the same thing: just standing in a dazed condition and letting the water run over them.

She stank and she knew it, but right now she didn't care. She didn't feel like she could get up. Her hair was filthy and matted She hadn't been able to comb it since being here; just running her hands through it was her comb. She felt like she was nothing but skin and bones and as she slowly turned her head she knew everyone else was the same. Two people on cots near her did not move and it took only a glance to see their staring eyes to know they had died during the night. That left the crew at what? She frowned trying to remember the number still alive from the original twenty-one and could not.

"Captain, you must get up."

Kathryn tried to focus her eyes and finally recognized Ensign Scott who was on his knees and hanging onto the edge of her cot.

"Can't," she said weakly. "Go get your shower."

"I'll help you," he said, disregarding her statement and struggled to even lift the blanket off her. She weakly took hold of his arm and made the effort to sit up, and with a moan, along with his gentle pull managed to rise. Both struggled to get on their feet and together they shuffled back to the shower room and just walked under the already running water with their clothes on. However they were late and after only one minute the water turned off. Their clothes were barely wet.

Three times during the day she dropped to her knees trying to lift even the smallest rock. She remembered thinking she didn't think she could finish the day, and other than being concerned for the remainder of her crew, didn't much care. At last the whistle blew, signifying the end of work and she turned and like a zombie started shuffling for the entrance, her eyes just staring straight ahead. Somehow, someway, she had managed to last the day.

As she reached her cot she sat and looked around, trying to count who was left. She counted nine, including herself and shook her head. Twelve had died in this hell hole and she felt remorse their pod had been saved and have to endure this. It would have saved them all a lot of misery if their pod had also been shot down.

Lt. Adams shuffled slowly by and collapsed beside her, not even bothering to continue to his cot nor try and stifle his groan.

"We made it another day, Captain," he said hoarsely.

"Another day, Lt." added Janeway. Then she weakly lifted her arm to the room and said, "I count only nine of us. Am I right?"

"That's about it Captain. I don't think Anders will make it much longer and maybe Jefferson. They are both in pretty bad shape. To be truthful, I'm not even sure I will last the night."

Kathryn did not answer. What was there to say?

Adams struggled to his feet and mumbled something about getting some sleep and stumbled away. She saw him stagger and fall after only three steps, but gamely struggled to his feet and then simply fell onto his cot. Janeway coughed and once again noted specks of blood on her hand. You can add Janeway to not lasting much longer, Lt., she murmured to herself. Slowly she lay down and tried once again to think of Chakotay, her solace, her rock, during all these heinous months, but his image did not appear in her mind she was so tired, so she closed her eyes and attempted to go to sleep.

* * * * *

Reaching Zhahare

"Okay Chakotay this is what we have for the moment," said Sully. "Chadwick and I will go down to the surface and scout around. He has studied the image of the city all night and feels he has a good idea of its layout. Fitz managed to get an image of the pilot of that transport and I'm hoping that is what everyone looks like down on the surface. I need an hour to disguise Chad and me, and then we can take the shuttle, cloaked of course, and land just outside the city and possible transport ourselves closer.

"We'll try to find a Hall of Justice or something that dispenses sentences. If we can find where they took the prisoners they 'saved', then we will know where to search for the Captain. I would like Ayala and Dalby to go along and guard the Shuttle just in case, and if we run into trouble they can get away and report to you." She hesitated. "I'm sorry, that's all I can come up with right now until we get a better lay of the land."

Chakotay nodded. "I understand and you're right. Until we know where they take the prisoners we can't just go charging in. Are you sure that's all you want on the surface, just Chadwick?"

"Too many cooks . . ."she said with a laugh. "Yeah, just Chad. I'd like Fitz because he's so sneaky, but I want to keep it to just two for the moment. Give me an hour and we'll be ready," and she walked off.

In less than an hour she hailed Chakotay and said they were ready. He gathered Ayala and Dalby and headed to the Shuttle Bay. When he saw Sully and Chad, he grinned. He didn't even recognize them!

"Good luck and keep your Comm badges open once you're there. I want contact with you at all times," said Chakotay, and the four nodded their heads, boarded the shuttle, the engine was started and the cloak initiated. As the shuttle disappeared from view Chakotay smiled. That was an encouraging sign. Thank God Dalby remembered the device hidden in the Badlands!

A short time later Sully informed him they had landed safely just outside the city and as they had flown over it Chad had picked out an area to beam to and noted the coordinates.

"Relay them to Fitz, Sully, so we can keep track of you," said Chakotay.

"Right. We're going to transport now. Wish us luck."

Chakotay held his breath and waited. And then waited some more. He was just about to tap his Comm badge when Sully's voice was heard.

"We are in the city and the disguises seem to work. No one is paying any attention to us." It was quiet a long moment and all Chakotay heard was their footsteps.

"There, that building," Chad's voice was heard saying.

"We think we see where important business might go on," whispered Sully. "We can't ask anyone, as that would arouse suspicion. We must assume that if you live in this city you know what and where everything is, so we are going in and take our chances. I'll be quiet for awhile now, Chakotay, so don't panic and for God's sake don't hail me!"

Chakotay smiled at that and sat down to nervously wait for her to hail him again.

Twenty minutes went by with only occasional whispering being heard between Sully and Chad as they made various decisions. A door was heard to open and close and it was quiet for a moment.

Chakotay listened intently and thought he heard footsteps. Suddenly a booming voice was heard yelling, "Quiet wench!"

"Next case!" was heard from a little farther away.

A shuffling of feet was heard and then once again the bellowing loud voice was heard to say, "These people were acquired recently and are charged with spying on the domain of Zhahare!"

A bang was heard followed by the distant voice saying, "Guilty! Send them to the mines! Next case."

"But sir," a nervous voice replied. "We are guilty of nothing. We weren't even close to this planet. And what about a trial?"

"Silence!" roared the loud voice. "If I say you are guilty, you are guilty!" rumbled the distant voice. "You will spend the rest of your sorry lives in the mines. Next case I say and be quick about it!"

A lot of protesting voices and shuffling feet were heard next, but still nothing from Sully or Chadwick. Thirty minutes passed and Chakotay was really getting nervous even though he had heard what he thought was an answer to where Kathryn was. But where was this mine?

Doors and footsteps were heard at last and then Sully's voice as she asked, "Sir, who are those people? I've never seen that race before. My husband and I live out in the land and are just visiting the city."

"As to who they are is of no importance to you, wench. They are spies and are sentenced to the mines."

"Mines? We have mines? Oh - do you mean the ones south of the city?"

"No, you imbecilic wench - north of the city!"

"Oh dear, yes. You have to forgive an old woman, sir. My mind is not what it used to be and my poor dear husband is blind and deaf and . . . how far are these mines anyway? My mind is so terrible," she said, her voice quivering "I just can't remember anything."

The man being questioned laughed. "They are quite a ways off, wench, in the Zhahali Mountains, in a nice box canyon."

"Too far to walk and see I suppose. My dear husband does like to walk!" said Sully in her continuing charade of an old forgetful woman.

The man laughed again. "Be off with you wench. Take that wretched husband, a supposed man, away. He makes me ill to see him slobbering all over his own face."

Then it became quiet for a few moments and all Chakotay heard was footsteps and breathing until Sully finally said, "Chakotay did you catch all that?"

"Yes Sully and Fitz are already pinpointing the mountains, but where are they? There are a lot of mountains surrounding the city."

Sully didn't reply but they heard her ask Dalby to quickly beam them back to the shuttle as they had slipped into an alley and no one was visible.

A moment later Sully said, "Okay, Chakotay, we are back in the shuttle and I am directing Ken to fly north of the city and see if we can find this mine that man talked about."

"Sully," said Fitz quickly. "Watch the roads and airspace leading north out of the city. They will most likely transport those particular prisoners soon."

"Good idea Fitz. I knew you were sneaky for a reason."

White Cloud turned from the console he had gone to while they had listened to Sully's conversation with that man outside. "Chakotay I think I know where those mountains are."

Chakotay immediately went to his side and looked down on the terrain White Cloud had on his screen.

His gnarled finger pointed to a particular area. "There. That looks like a box canyon and a likely spot for a mine."

Chakotay turned to Fitz as he slapped White Cloud on the shoulder and said, "Transfer that image to OPS, my good man."

Walking to Fitz' side he watched as the image came up. Fitz tapped at his console and then smiled. He tapped more keys and then zeroed his image in closer and closer. An opening appeared on one cliff as well as images that might indicate housing. He looked up.

"White Cloud, you should really be called Bright Eyes. I think that's it. At least it looks like a mine opening."

Just then Sully's voice was heard. "Okay guys we have a transport moving out of the city and heading north. Now there are two of them, both going in the same direction. We are going to follow . . . hold on, there is a shuttle moving above them but as we are cloaked there shouldn't be any problem."

Chakotay nodded and replied, "We are shifting our standing orbit, Sully, to be over what we think we found as the mine area. When you are ready to return we'll give you our coordinates. Keep those badges open."

"Right, as if you had to say it again, boss man," she groused, causing the crew on the bridge to laugh.

One hour later Sully reported they were ready to head back and with both ships cloaked, Chakotay initiated the Shuttle Bay sensor, which guided the shuttle into the docking bay, and soon the shuttle settled softly on the deck of The Grant. Chakotay was there as the hatch opened.

"Good work down there today."

"You can credit Chad with that. He used his quote intelligent mind unquote and picked out the building we went into." Chakotay smiled at Chad.

Chad grinned as he said, "I knew my experience would come in handy sometime."

Turning back to Sully, Chakotay asked, "What do you find as far as those transports?"

"Well we found a mine all right. Those transports deposited their human cargo there and then flew back to the city. Whether it's where Janeway is we don't know. I'm afraid it will take a trip into the mine to find out."

Chakotay smiled. "Then put that genius mind of yours to work. Have Chad and Fitz and anybody else you want help you. They are all at your disposal," he said as they all headed towards the Bridge.

* * * * *

Holding On


Kathryn sat holding her bowl of soup and watched the new arrivals getting out of the transport. Those poor souls - they had no idea what they were in for she thought and then she drained the last drop of soup from her bowl. Taking her finger she ran it around the bowl as she tried to get more liquid and put her finger in her mouth. The bowl slipped from her hand and clattered to the ground. She just sat and stared at it, then saw a worm crawling by her boot. She watched it for a long time, debating whether to pick it up and eat it, finally deciding it deserved to live.

A prisoner near her saw her staring and seeing what it was, looked at her and seeing she wasn't making any move for it suddenly dropped on his knees, crawled over, grabbed the worm and shoved it in his mouth, then scurried back to where he was sitting.

Kathryn stared at him a moment as he chewed and was about to open her mouth to say something when the whistle blew for them to go back to work. Pushing with her hands she tried to rise but couldn't muster the strength. Her arms and legs were so weak! Finally with a moan she slowly rose and almost immediately collapsed and would have if not for Adams and Scott, who were beside her.

Having seen her struggle to stand they maneuvered their bodies to a position beside her, braced themselves and she fell against them, thus preventing her from falling to the ground. It took trained restraint to keep them from reaching out to her while she righted herself, as that would have drawn the ire of the nearby guard who was watching them closely. The three of them had made a point of sticking together the last few days, almost as if feeling they would not see each other the next morning.

Adams was a mass of sores all over his body with some badly infected. His lips were cracked and bleeding and as Kathryn stared at his skin she saw movement on one of the sores but did not have the energy to reach out and pick it off.

Scott, poor Scott, she thought. He was so young to have had to endure this torture. He was suffering badly now and quite weak, and she wasn't sure he would last out the day. For that matter she wasn't sure she would and was amazed she had lasted the last few days. Every time she coughed there was blood, the sores on her body were also infected and it took every ounce of strength for her to put one foot in front of the other. She didn't know if she could pick up any rocks this afternoon and if she didn't that would be the end of her.

Slowly she entered the mineshaft and headed down her tunnel towards her station, just barely staying on her feet and using the wall for continual support. As she reached her station her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground with no inclination whatsoever to get up. There wasn't a guard there at the moment, so she stayed down.

"Get up miss, you must get up," came a crotchety old voice of a man near her. "The guard is coming!"

Kathryn groaned and tried to push away the hands that pulled at her, but then her mind remembered and she managed to get to her knees and acted as if she was trying to pick up the rock that was in front of her just as the guard came by. He snickered at her attempt.

"You won't be around much longer, wench. We have some new workers now, so it doesn't matter to me if you die."

Kathryn didn't respond, just continued to struggle to lift the rock to her chest. After the guard walked on by her, she dropped the rock and while on her hands and knees looked at the old man.

"Thank you." She mumbled in a hoarse voice. He simply nodded his head and went back to trying to pick up his rock.

At the end of their shift Kathryn, Adams and Scott were helping each other not only to stand up but also to make their way back to their shack without falling down. Several times they stopped as one's knees started to buckle. Each knew their time was now short, but each also knew they had handled themselves proud.

Upon reaching their individual cots, they collapsed and mumbled good night to anybody that could hear, leaving unsaid the usual, "See you in the morning."

* * * * *

The Plan

Chakotay listened intently as Sully explained their plan. Fitz had managed to find the planets communication relay and Sully was going to plug a message into it that would go to every outlet on the planet. The message was a warning about an armada of ships from various nations that had discovered their treachery and their planet, and were now en route to destroy them. She was also inserting pictures of this massive armada along with the message. The hope was that this would pull virtually all security and ships to the city, thus leaving the area of the mine defended only by a handful of guards.

A team using one of the cloaked shuttles would fly down to the mine, overpower the guards and search the mine for any Starfleet personnel. Once they had found them they would be beamed to Sickbay on The Grant, and after making sure all the other prisoners knew they were free, the away team would board the shuttle, head back to The Grant and 'we will skedaddle out of here at high warp', as she put it.

In the meantime they were to prepare the Mess Hall into a Sick Bay, or even the Cargo Bay if necessary, ready the EMH, who they hadn't activated at all yet, and be prepared for the worst.

"Or the best," said Chakotay in a hopeful voice. "If we find Starfleet and Kathryn, regardless of the shape they are in, that's better than nothing."

Chakotay stood back, hands on his hips as he thought of the team he would send down. There would be himself of course, Tuvok, Sully, Chad, Fitz, White Cloud, Snake Eyes, Ayala, Rogers, Brooks and Simpson. After hesitating a moment he added the two Bajoran's Kierna and Royko as they would be valuable help for any fight if they ran into extra security guards inside the mine.

Having some knowledge of mines Chakotay figured there were many branches off the main tunnel. Once inside he would then send separate teams into each

In other assignments he would have Henley operate the Transporter, Dalby would be in charge of The Grant ready to defend against any possible ships discovering their station and Alderson would fly the shuttle. The remainder of the team would stay on board and help the people to Sick Bay as they were beamed on board and also help medically in any way they could. This was B'Elanna, Gerron, Tabor, Chell, Mulchaey and Townsend.

Finally he looked around. All had been standing silently awaiting his decisions. "All right my friends. This is it. This is why we are here. Sully, send that message down at 0600 hours in the morning. We will watch the activity on sensors to make sure it's working, and then a team of us will go down and find our people. He ticked off the names of those going to the planet and followed that with the responsibilities of everyone else.

"As we find them we will beam them on board the Grant and I know I don't have to tell those responsible to treat them gently. I don't think they will be too healthy."

"What about the other prisoners?" asked Chell.

"They will be given the guards armaments, told they are free and I have a feeling there will be a slight mutiny."

"We can't rescue them, too?" asked Gerron.

"It depends on how many of them there are. Also, where would we put them, what planet is their home world?"

"One of the planets we passed might be willing to temporarily take them on, and contact their planets," said Mulchaey. "We could also make a makeshift room for them in the Cargo Bay. We just can't abandon those poor souls."

"You forget this isn't an Enterprise size Starship. We are small, but I promise you I will consider that option," said Chakotay. "Now get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow will be a long and maybe a very dangerous day."

* * * * *

The entire crew was gathered on the Bridge at 0545 in the morning and crowded around Sully as she sat at her console, waiting to see what magic of panic and hysteria this woman could cause this time. She showed them a preview of the message and the picture she and Fitz had devised and incorporated into the story. They all grinned. It was so real!

She glanced occasionally at Fitz at OPS as she sat waiting patiently for the magic hour. At 0600 he looked up, smiled that devilish smile of his and nodded his head. She immediately looked down at her console and started tapping at the keys.

Down on the planet the communications center suddenly started hearing a very loud horn and the bright red printed words of "Warning! Warning!" started flashing on a big black screen. This was followed shortly by a voice saying "Emergency, Emergency! The planet is under imminent attack. All attack ships and security personnel report immediately to defend this city. A massive armada is on its way to destroy this planet. They have discovered our taking prisoners to work in the mines. Emergency! Emergency! Everyone report to the city!" and the view cut to a scene showing thousands of ships advancing toward the planet.

The soldier at the console sat with his mouth agape and stared at the visual picture. His supervisor raced into the room.

"What is it? What is happening? Where is that coming from?"

The man at the console just pointed. "Look. Look at all those ships. We're doomed!"

The supervisor stared wide-eyed at the visual. "Send that warning around the planet immediately," shouted the supervisor. "Get everyone to report to the city. Hurry man, hurry!"

The soldier immediately started relaying the visual and the warning message around the planet, adding "All security, all military personnel, all vessels, report to the city to defend us!" He continued to send this message non-stop. As it was received in various areas, it was relayed on within seconds. The size of the armada approaching left the military and security personnel feeling paralyzed for a moment and then they all sprang to action, boarding ships of all kinds and heading for the city.

* * *

Rescue

Kathryn heard the whistle to report to work as she sat on her cot. Somehow she had managed the strength to rise to a sitting position but once again hadn't had the energy to move to the shower. Struggling to her feet, she looked back to see if Adams was coming and then turned and shuffled painfully for the door. Each step elicited pain. She had been sick all night, vomiting and cramping and fully expected to die during the night. The fact she didn't shocked her.

Ensign Scott moved in behind her and they moved agonizingly slow toward the mine entrance, their eyes vacant and just staring straight ahead. Kathryn could see specks of blood in Scott's matted beard and felt this might be the last day for all of them. For a moment she didn't care and welcomed death to this misery, but still pushed her feet forward. Slowly they moved into the mine and toward their station, not even acknowledging the other and commenced their labor, albeit in extreme slow motion.

Up in the Grant the crew watched their scans and saw a massive transport movement start toward the city. This was a good start but what about the mine area? When would they get the message? They stared intently as Fitz concentrated his scan on that area but still there was not any unusual movement indicated. Then Chad spotted a transport that was seemingly headed toward the mine instead of the city.

Chakotay straightened. "We can't wait for them, we must go down to the planet now!" and the team chosen for that operation moved quickly off the bridge.

Down at the mine the incoming transport landed near the mine entrance and a soldier ran quickly to the supervisor. He was obviously excited about something by the way his arms were flapping about. The supervisor ran to one guard and yelled something and he in turn ran to a group of guards that were guarding the entrance of the mine.

The Guards stationed around the perimeter began to wonder what was going on and designated one man to leave his post to inquire.

Alderson started up the shuttle and with the cloaking on, departed the ship and headed for the planet.

Kathryn looked around as a guard ran past her. Soon three other guards ran by and she wondered what the ruckus was all about. Maybe some prisoner was trying to escape. That had happened early on in their tenure and when he was caught all the prisoners were brought out of the mine and forced to watch his execution. Maybe one of those new prisoners was foolish, she thought and then with a moan she collapsed to her knees and vomited again.

It was just dry heaves with specks of blood. She couldn't get up for a minute and then pulled herself to a standing position by using the wall, but leaned then against at as she wiped at her mouth. The man working across from her had watched carefully, and as she finally rose to her feet he nodded and went back to his work. Kathryn wanted to smile at him but didn't have the energy. That man had basically been her watch guard the last few weeks, warning her when guards were coming and coaxing her to stand when she stayed down.

Outside, activity was frenzied. "All guards except a skeleton force will leave immediately to defend the city," thundered the supervisor. "The prisoners are weak and feeble so we will keep only ten guards inside the mine and leave five outside, two at the mine entrance and the other three around the perimeter. Go! Go quickly and defend our city!"

All of the guards not designated for duty at the mine ran for the transport and soon it lifted off.

Chakotay had Alderson land the shuttle as close as they dared to the mine entrance and just below a small rise. Even though it was cloaked he didn't want to take any chances of an early discovery. As they leaped from the shuttle all were acutely aware of the surroundings and their mission and they scrambled with extreme stealth towards the top of the rise to see the miner's settlement.

"Chief," whispered Dalby's voice. "We just detected that earlier transport lifting off from the mine. It looked like they loaded a lot of the guards."

"Thanks, Ken. Maybe we won't have too many guards to deal with," he replied as he carefully looked over the rise.

"Looks like about five guards outside, Chakotay," whispered White Cloud, "but there will obviously be some inside with the prisoners."

Chakotay saw a guard below and near their position and turned to motion Snake Eyes to take care of him and then smiled as he saw he was already moving in that direction. The guard never knew what happened, his neck was broken so quickly.

As Snake Eyes drug him back to the group they quickly stripped off his clothing and Simpson hurriedly pulled them on over his as the man was a size larger, immediately picked up the guard's weapon and took up the position. Not even a minute had gone by and none of the other guards seemed to have noticed.

A few minutes later, Simpson scurried over to one of the guards at the mine entrance and pointed in the direction where Chakotay and the team were hiding. Both men walked quickly in that direction. As they momentarily disappeared from view Snake Eyes struck again. This time Ayala put on the clothes and walked back to the guard's position at the mine entrance, but kept his face averted. The other guard did not even look at him, as he just nervously and intently kept scanning the sky.

In the meantime White Cloud, Kierna and Rogers slipped around to the center of the perimeter toward that guard. Just as he was about to attack him White Cloud stopped and stepped back. The other guard at the mine entrance was calling out to this man, and then started walking in his direction.

As he reached him he called up, "What do you think is happening in the city?"

"I don't know but from the excitement of it, I would say it doesn't look good. Why do we have to guard these prisoners now with that attack? They are weak and of no danger."

"Wrong boy-o" said Kierna softly as he and White cloud grabbed the two men, and quickly and silently broke their necks. After dressing in their clothes Rogers took up the perimeter position while White Cloud, now dressed as a guard, sauntered back to the mine. Kierna hurried back to the team and reported this event.

Ayala's eyes widened in surprise, as he saw it was White Cloud and he grinned despite himself. White Cloud then signaled Chakotay.

Chakotay grinned. They had two men at the mine entrance now and two of the perimeter guards. That left only one perimeter guard and he was on the far side. He turned and looked at the remainder of his crew. They had replicated jackets to look as close to the guards clothing as they could, but it still might not be good enough when they moved for the mine. The far perimeter guard might become suspicious and if he had any kind of communication device he could alert the guards within the mine.

Once inside the mine they could get by with it as hopefully the lighting would not be that good, but they had to get to the mouth of that mine and then inside, without the far perimeter guard sending out an alert. It would take too long to send a man around to take him out, so Chakotay made his decision . . . they had to move now . . . it was time to get inside the mine.

He nodded to Tuvok and they started their stealthy trip down. As they all gathered near Rogers' position, Chakotay whispered to him to distract the far perimeter guard and Rogers immediately started trotting in that direction, yelling to the man as he ran.

The guard stared at him and then noticed he was pointing up to the sky behind him and the guard turned and looked in that direction. Rogers kept yelling "Look, look, can't you see it?"

The moment the man turned his back to the mine Chakotay and the eight remaining team members ran as fast as they could to the mine entrance.

They were barely at the entrance when the guard turned back and said, "I don't see anything. What are you yelling about?" He then squinted at the entrance and said, "What are all the guards doing?"

Rogers looked back for a moment, saw the team was all at the entrance and shrugging his shoulders yelled back to him, "Everyone is afraid after the announcement of the attack. The guards inside the mine have probably come out to find out the latest news. Don't worry about it," and he turned and trotted back to his position, hoping he wouldn't be shot in the back.

Chakotay and the others quickly stepped just far enough into the mine to be out of the perimeter guard's sight and cautiously peered around. All had phasers at the ready. There didn't appear to be any other guards right at the entrance so they slowly started moving deeper inside. Just then a guard appeared and was so startled he came to a full stop. Tuvok without hesitation stepped forward and applied the neck pinch, with the result the man dropped immediately to the ground.

"You really have to teach us that sometime," said Sully.

A few more meters and they saw the mine branched off into three different shafts. As they hesitated in the shadows, they saw there were guards at each shaft entrance. Feeling their disguise would be adequate in this bad light, Chakotay sent Snake Eyes, Royko and Brooks toward the right shaft, Chad, Kierna and Tuvok to the center and he, Sully and Fitz headed for the left one.

Each group easily approached the guard at their shaft, but as they drew within a few meters one of the guards asked, "Why are you all here? Are you back? What's happening at the city?"

Kierna at the center shaft smiled as he walked toward him and said, "We have been told there have been some more prisoners die, and we have been assigned to retrieve them." He wrinkled his nose at that assignment and quickly stepped past him. The guard, uneasy about this, looked at Tuvok, but before he could say anything Kierna had driven a knife into his neck.

While that was happening, Fitz distracted his guard by marching right up to him, virtually nose-to-nose. The guard was so startled at having a face in his face, and afraid he had done something wrong and was going to be reprimanded, he failed to see Sully slip past him and also received a knife in the neck.

Meanwhile as Snake Eyes, Brooks and Royko approached their guard he saw the attacks on the other shafts and raised his rifle to fire. Royko, sensing this immediately took two quick steps and dove at the man, knocking the rifle aside while at the same time knocking him down to the ground. Snake Eyes quickly moved up and slashed his throat. Each group looked at one another, gave the thumbs up sign and disappeared down each shaft.

As Chakotay's group passed two workers their hearts went out to the poor souls. They were nothing but skin hanging on bones and barely able to move a hand let alone lift a rock. This cramped Chakotay's heart, but they moved on even though the visage of those haunting, blank eyes stayed with him. Seeing no guards in this immediate area he stopped at the next prisoner and asked, "Are there any guards near here?"

The man weakly shook his head and muttered, "Deeper."

"Do you know if there are Starfleet prisoners here?"

The man stared blankly at him but one man a several feet further on heard the question, turned and weakly rasped, "I am sir. Ensign Scott"

"Is Captain Janeway at this mine?"

"Yes sir," he croaked. "Much further down. They shifted her deeper into the mine this morning. I don't know if she is still alive though. Are you here to rescue us sir?" he asked.

"You bet," said Chakotay and at hearing that Scott dropped to his knees. Chakotay motioned for Fitz to take the man to the mine entrance and have him transported to the ship. Fitz nodded and in a quick motion folded Scott over his right shoulder and started walking toward the entrance.

Cautiously Chakotay and Sully crept forward. A guard appeared suddenly around a bend and seeing them immediately raised his rifle without even a question. Sully, her Phaser in a ready position, fired, hitting him dead center in the chest, and the two continued to move on, asking each worker they saw if they were Starfleet.

Meanwhile Tuvok, Chad and Kierna were slowly working there way down their shaft, but not finding any Starfleet prisoners. Twice they momentarily had to hide as they saw a guard. However, Kierna had knelt down and picked up a pebble at the first sighting and nodded to Chad to do the same. Kierna tossed his rock and as the guard spun around at the clattering noise, Chad immediately tossed his, but a little further. As the guard concentrated on trying to discover the source of that noise, Kierna had immediately moved up behind him and driven his knife into the man's throat.

Tuvok nodded and the trio moved on, but the same procedure was initiated when they saw the second guard. Again he was neutralized and they thanked their Spirits that the lighting was so poor they were able to achieve quiet success rather than a firefight. However, Kierna was quick to notice that any nearby prisoner did not move, in fact kept trying to lift rocks even though they could see the guard was dead. Fear or brainwashed thought Kierna.

They continued moving forward, questioning each prisoner they saw and at last, the question of "Are you Starfleet?" got an affirmative nod from someone that vaguely resembled a woman. Chad, without hesitating, immediately lifted her up and headed for the entrance. Both Tuvok and Kierna then continued to move deeper in the mine and a few moments later found another Starfleet prisoner. They had now found two and wondered how many more were in this particular shaft.

Snake Eyes, Brooks and Royko got pinned down in a firefight with one guard, but the sound apparently did not carry outside this shaft as no other guard came to his assistance. Royko got down on his hands and knees and slowly, ever so slowly, moving one hand and knee at a time, crawled on the ground towards the guard like a leopard stalking its prey. At last he felt he was close enough and looking back nodded to Snake Eyes, then Royko suddenly stood and fired and almost in the same motion dove to one side. As the guard whirled to fire at Royko's position, Snake Eyes, tense and ready to move, immediately threw his knife and dashed forward. The knife landed dead center in the chest of the guard and with barely a sound he collapsed to the ground.

"Thank goodness for the bad lighting," Royko muttered with a smile.

They continued on and a few minutes later found two Starfleet men working together. They could barely stand and were attempting to assist one another pick up a rock when asked the all-important question.

Upon hearing the word Starfleet, both men stopped and leaning against the carrier simply nodded their heads and slowly slid to a sitting position in the dirt. A further question as to whether there were any more Starfleet down this particular tunnel drew a shake of the head and a hoarse voice saying, "Not this,". . . and he fainted without finishing the sentence. Taking that to mean there weren't any more Starfleet in this tunnel, Royko hoisted one man on his back, while Snake Eyes and Brooks made a chair with their hands for the other, and they started for the entrance.

Chakotay and Sully continued to work their way down the tunnel. The air was bad, not only from the lack of circulation but the stench of the prisoners. How deep did this mine go anyway mused Chakotay in irritation as they continued their cautious advance.

Then he saw her. Instinct told him it was Kathryn. She was on her knees vomiting and Chakotay started to run forward and then abruptly stopped as he stared in horror at her condition. He saw her matted dirty hair, hollow, sunken eyes, and sores all over her face and arms. All were infected and crawling with vermin and the sight made his stomach roil. He couldn't move as he watched her trying to get up only to fall back down again.

Sully, seeing Chakotay's horror and shock, quickly moved past him and knelt beside Kathryn.

"Captain Janeway?"

Kathryn didn't even move her head or answer, so Sully repeated her question. "Are you Captain Janeway?"

A croak that sounded like "Yes," was heard. Then, "You might as well kill me. I can't get up."

"Sedate her, Sully," said Chakotay quietly.

"Who's there?" asked Kathryn. Chakotay did not say anymore as he watched Sully reach into her Med Kit for a Hypo.

Sully helped Kathryn lay down on her back and tears sprang to her eyes as she looked down at this valiant woman. How in God's name had she survived?
.
"You're going home, Captain. Just act dead," she said in a soft compassionate voice as she injected the hypo.

"Already there," whispered Kathryn in a barely recognizable voice. "Adams . . . further in . . . this . . . shaft." And then she lost consciousness.

Seeing her lapse into unconsciousness, Chakotay slapped his badge. "Ayala, get in here. We've found the Captain and she's in real bad shape, so bring that stretcher that I saw near the cave entrance. We are deep in the left shaft."

Although it seemed forever to Chakotay, Ayala came running up only a few moments later. He placed the stretcher on the ground and he and Sully gently placed the Captain on it.

"Sully, you and Ayala get her to the entrance and beam her to the ship. I'll go on down and see if I can find this Adams."

Hoping his Com Badge worked deep in this shaft and that no other guard heard it, he tapped it and said quietly, "Tuvok, Snake, we found Captain Janeway. Any luck on your tunnels?"

"We have found two, Commander," replied Tuvok's voice and are currently taking them to the entrance. They are both in bad shape."

"We found two also," Snake's voice was heard from his position. "All are also in bad shape. We are currently moving for the entrance."

"From the looks of all the prisoners we've seen, I think every one is in bad shape. We found one Starfleet earlier and now Kathryn, so that makes a total of six so far. She said there was another one in this shaft," said Chakotay as he turned and headed deeper into his tunnel. "I'll see if I can find him."

A few moments later Fitz came trotting back to assist his search, having delivered Ensign Scott to the entrance. "Scott has been beamed up to The Grant," he said quietly as they continued their search.

Each person they came to Chakotay whispered the same phrase, "Are you Starfleet?" because he sure as hell couldn't tell by looking at any of them. Suddenly phaser fire whizzed over their heads by a guard up ahead and both dove for cover and then returned fire. Fitz, ahead of Chakotay, noted a crevice, and quickly slipped in then signaled Chakotay who immediately dropped to the ground screaming as if he were hit when the guard fired. As the guard slowly advanced on Chakotay, who was laying in a fetal position on the ground and groaning loudly, Fitz slipped out behind the guard as he passed, grabbed him and with a quick twist, quietly broke his neck. Each man merely nodded at the other and moved on.

At last a man answered he was Starfleet.

"Are you Adams?" asked Chakotay.

"Yes sir," he said in a barely audible voice.

"Are there any other Starfleet in this tunnel?"

"Not anymore," he whispered and then sensing he was being rescued, collapsed and fell unconscious.

Fitz quickly lifted him up over his shoulder and started trotting back up the tunnel, feeling it didn't much matter how you carried them. They were all pretty bad off and the faster he got them to the ship the sooner they would get treatment. Chakotay trotted behind, phaser ready as he watched for any more guards.

Meanwhile as Ayala and Sully reached the entrance, Sully tapped her badge. "We've got Janeway. Three to beam up and we have her on a stretcher."

As Janeway materialize in the "Sick Bay," B'Elanna was standing there waiting and her hand flew to her mouth as she saw the condition of the Captain and then she muttered a soft, "Oh my God."

Ayala and Sully quickly moved to an empty medical cot and gently moved the Captain off the stretcher as the EMH came forward and started tending to her. Immediately Sully and Ayala requested transport back to the mine. There were more people to take care of.

As Fitz walked up the main shaft toward the mine entrance he dared not look at the poor devils now just standing to one side and watching one prisoner after another being carried toward the entrance. Many of them bowed their heads, feeling it was a bad day . . . that death was quite victorious this day.

"You're free, man, get outside," Fitz kept yelling at them, but no one moved.

One after another the Starfleet prisoners were transported up to the Grant.

As Fitz arrived with Adams at the mine entrance some one asked how many Starfleet were in the mine. Adams, now regaining consciousness coughed, mumbled, coughed again and then answered.

"Yesterday, Captain Janeway and I counted eight, including ourselves," answered Adams in a hoarse, weak voice.

Tuvok tapped his badge. "Tuvok to Henley. How many have you transported so far?"

"Six thus far Commander." Tuvok looked at Adams. He made seven. That left one more somewhere.

Chakotay came running up. "Do we know how many more?"

"There is apparently one more somewhere, Commander. Adams here makes seven and he said yesterday there were eight."

"Oh my God, only eight have survived? Does he know which tunnel?" As they looked at Adams they realized he had again lost consciousness.

"All right, all of you fan back out into the tunnels. We're not leaving anyone behind! And hurry, we don't have much more time," and everyone started running back into the shafts. "Be careful," Chakotay called out as he ran for his tunnel. "We aren't sure if there are any more guards deep in those shafts!"

It took another thirty minutes before they found the last one, who upon hearing phaser fire thought the prisoners were being executed, and being so thin, had crawled inside a small crevice. It took Tuvok using a firm commanding tone to get her to come out, and then he gently lifted her in his arms and headed for the entrance, notifying Chakotay he had found her.

After all prisoners were beamed up to the Grant, Chakotay looked around. Suddenly he heard a warning from Dalby that a ship was fast approaching from the city and for everyone to get back into the mine. As they huddled inside the entrance the ship slowly circled the mine area. White Cloud, Ayala, and the other outside guards waved as if everything was all right, but the ship suddenly fired toward the entrance, sending Ayala and White Cloud scurrying into the mine with the perimeter guards taking cover behind some outcroppings.

"Guess your ruse was finally discovered," said Fitz with a laugh at Sully.

"Couldn't fool them forever, I guess."

"Dalby you better do your stuff," mumbled Snake Eyes.

The enemy ship started its decent but still nothing happened from Dalby.

"Come on Ken," shouted Chakotay into his badge. "What are you doing? We need your help!"

The transport was now landing and as the hatch opened, two guards stepped out, but still nothing from Dalby.

"Damn it, Ken, come on!" yelled Chakotay.

Suddenly phaser fire erupted from somewhere above. The far perimeter guard gaped as he could see the phaser slashing through the air, but not where it was coming from.

"It's true, it's true," he screamed in utter terror. "They have come for us," and he dropped his weapon and started running away.

Dalby continued to fire at the ship and several guards jumped from the ship and started running for the entrance of the mine. Fitz, Brooks and Ayala, kneeling at the mine entrance, opened fire and cut them down. Suddenly there was a large explosion as the enemy ship blew into a million tiny bits.

"Ally, ally oxen free," shouted Dalby's voice. "Come out come out wherever you are!" and this was followed by a raucous laugh. "Hey Chief," Dalby's voice continued. "Sorry I was a little late. The Phasers momentarily went off line but our brilliant Klingon corrected that in a hurry."

"Thanks, Ken. Well done," said Chakotay with a grin. "I knew I had 'the best damn Engineer in Starfleet' along for some reason," and they all heard B'Elanna snort over the intercom, followed by Dalby laughing.

"Anytime my friend," said Dalby. "Are you all about ready to come home now? Sensors are beginning to show ships leaving the city."

"Just about. I'll send the shuttle back with most of the team while I take one last look around. I'll call for a beam out when I'm ready."

He then told the team to head for the shuttle and at that moment, one of the new prisoners came running out of the mine and headed straight for Chakotay waving his arm. He could tell this must be a new prisoner because he was still healthy and strong looking.

"What about us?" the prisoner asked.

"Where is your home planet? We don't have much room," said Chakotay.

"All we need is a ship," he replied. "We will take all the remaining workers to our planet and from what I saw there are not all that many that are alive."

Chakotay thought about the two shuttles. The one they had here on the planet and the one that came with the ship. He quickly made a decision.

"Get all the prisoners in the mine out here. I want to see how many are left."

The man turned and ran back into the mine, yelling as he ran for all prisoners to move outside.

"But we didn't hear a whistle," one complained.

"Forget the damn whistle. You're free! Get outside."

Prisoners came stumbling, shuffling and falling out into the open air. Some were hesitant to step outside for fear of being beaten but upon seeing all the strangers finally stepped out. Chakotay's heart sank. When they finally stopped coming out of the mine there were almost a hundred and he couldn't take that many!

"What are we going to do Chakotay?" asked Sully.

Chakotay looked at the strong man. "You give me your word you will take all these people out of here?"

"On my oath as a Lharli," he replied as he stood straight and tall and placed his fist over his heart.

"Give me ten minutes," said Chakotay and he whispered to White Cloud, Chadwick and Snake Eyes who turned and immediately ran for the shuttle. Chakotay then tapped his Comm badge.

"Dalby, you got an extra pilot up there? Can Tabor fly that other shuttle down?"

Dalby was quiet a moment and then said, "He says he can."

"Get it down here, but before you do have B'Elanna take out the cloaking device."

"That will take about an hour, Chief."

"Get Vorik and everybody she needs to help her, and do it as fast as you can. We don't have an hour!"

In approximately thirty minutes both shuttles were sitting by the mine entrance and Chakotay was showing the Lharli how to fly it. After seeing fifty prisoners loaded onto each shuttle they took off and Chakotay watched with a prayer on his lips that he was doing the right thing.

As if to prove him right, the shuttles swung around the mine entrance in a salute and then zoomed away. Before long they were out of sight.

Chakotay and all the rest grinned. He tapped his badge and told Henley to start beaming the team back in groups of five, and then asked Dalby how things were.

"Actually it seems quiet right now They aren't too sure yet at the city that the warning wasn't real, so to add a little more uncertainty, I played that message again," he said with a loud laugh. "Only this time I added that the ship that was sent to the mine was destroyed by an invisible enemy and the ships that started heading this way turned back."

Sully laughed. "You are worse than me, Dalby!"

"Ah - such a compliment. I'm flattered!" Both laughed.

Within moments the team was back on board, and Chakotay gave the order, as Sully had so nicely expressed it "to skedaddle out of here" and he headed for Sick Bay.

He stood in the doorway and looked over at the still form of Kathryn. The EMH was working on her with about every instrument at his disposal. The readings on the monitor didn't look too promising. He could barely see her form under the blanked she was so thin. He hesitated and then seeing Kathryn was either unconscious or sedated, he walked over and stood opposite the Doctor.

"Doctor?"

"She's pretty bad," he stated without looking up. "By all rights she should be dead right now. In fact she should have died long before this."

"Will she make it?" Chakotay persisted.

"To tell you the truth I don't know. I just honestly don't know and that's all I can tell you."

Chakotay stared down at Kathryn's still face. She looked even worse in the light of this room than down in the mine. Her face was white, devoid of all color and covered with sores, her hair filthy and matted, her eyes were sunken way back in her face and every bone of her face was seen through the almost translucent skin. He could see sores on her exposed chest and knew instinctively her whole body was a mass of infected sores. He reached down and gently placed a finger on the back of her hand, trying his best not to put any pressure on the sores that were there.

He saw vermin in the sores that the doctor hadn't gotten to yet and he wanted to help clean that out, but just stood there, feeling completely and totally helpless. Hearing footsteps he turned his head to see Tuvok approaching.

"Commander?"

"The doctor doesn't know Tuvok. It looks bad," he whispered.

"If nothing else Commander, know that if she dies she will not have died in that mine, but on a Starship."

Chakotay nodded his head. "At least not in the mine," he croaked.

The EMH looked up. "The scans show her scalp is full of sores as well as lice and god knows what else. Plus I'm sure all of these people have all kinds of disease."

"Cut off her hair, doctor," said Chakotay. "It will grow back."

"Cut off all of the Captain's hair?" asked the EMH.

"Yes, all of it. Do what you have to do to treat her."

"Of course, I just wanted to be sure. But I am also going to keep her sedated to let her body rest."

Chakotay didn't say anything, just turned and looked around the room. B'Elanna, Brooks, Henley, Gerron, Mulchaey, Ayala and Chell were each attending a person lying quietly on a cot and one by one they walked over and lay the Medical TriCorder by the Doctor.

Chakotay moved to the first cot. The person looked up at him and said in a hoarse, raspy voice, "You're the one that saved us. Thank you."

Chakotay just nodded his head and then asked, "You're Adams?"

"Yes sir. I was Helm for The Barton."

Chakotay gently laid a hand on his shoulder and turned for the next cot, which was a young man.

"This is Ensign Scott, Chakotay," said Ayala. He was OPS and it was his first mission."

As Ensign Scott looked up at him with gratitude and tears in his eyes, Chakotay flashed to Harry Kim, also a young Ensign who on his first mission was lost in the Delta Quadrant. Quite an irony.

"You'll be fine Ensign," Chakotay said with a smile.

Gradually Chakotay checked each person and then turned, grabbed a chair from the wall and placing it at Kathryn's bedside, sat down.

The doctor and Tuvok looked at him as he gently took hold of Kathryn's hand.

"You have the bridge, Tuvok. I'm not leaving Kathryn's side until we know one way or the other."

Tuvok nodded in understanding as he replied, "I expected that Commander. You will keep us informed?" Chakotay just nodded his head and stared at Kathryn. The EMH felt he should object, but upon looking into Chakotay's eyes knew it would not do any good, so he bent over Kathryn and continued to shave off her hair.

B'Elanna walked over and while looking at the Captain with tears cascading down her cheeks, squeezed Chakotay's shoulder.

"We found her Chakotay," she whispered. "At least we found her," and she squeezed his shoulder again and turned back to her patient.

For the ten days it took them to get back to the sector that started this nightmare, Chakotay never left her side other than to take care of personal hygiene. The crew brought him his meals but he only nibbled at them. He was getting dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep, as he would only lay his head down on the cot while still maintaining contact with Kathryn's hand. At least once every day and sometimes both morning and night, he would stand and leaning down by her ear would whisper, "Don't die Kathryn. Fight to stay alive. Don't give up."

On the eleventh morning Kathryn groaned, causing Chakotay's head to snap up. He quickly stood as the doctor, hearing the groan hurried to her side. Chakotay backed up, out of Kathryn's view as the doctor checked her over. As Kathryn opened her eyes she tried focusing on the man bending over her.

"Where . . . ?" she said in a croaking voice.

"Good morning Captain. You will pleased to hear you were rescued and are on a Starship."


"Starship . . . ?" was whispered so low it could barely be heard.

"Yes," said the Doctor.

"Not . . . in mine," was the reply and a semblance of a smile crooked at her lips.

"No, you are no longer in the mine," repeated the Doctor as he looked up and smiled at Chakotay who had moved to the doorway. "You were rescued by . . ." and then he abruptly stopped as Chakotay vehemently shook his head and pointing towards his chest mouthed, 'no'!

"Well," he continued. "You can find out all that information later."

"My . . . crew?"

"We have seven other individuals in this room, all trying to survive as you are. I want you to go back to sleep now and rest."

Kathryn sighed and closed her eyes. Chakotay moved back to the bed and looked at the monitor.

"Doctor. Her condition? Will she make it?"

"I still don't know, Commander. She is very critical. This was only a momentary awakening. She still has sedative in her system so has gone back to a deep sleep. Hopefully the news registered on her that she has been rescued. But even with that news she will either get better now or give in knowing she is free."

"Give in?"

"As in give up and die, knowing she is now free."

"Why would she do that? She is free and out of that mine. Kathryn would never give up! She kept fighting to stay alive while in that stinking mine, Doctor!"

"I realize that Commander, but sometimes, well sometimes the Spirit, upon knowing they are free just gives in."

"Keep her alive, Doctor!" Chakotay ordered. "And keep her sedated the whole trip."

"But that's three weeks before we get back to Earth!"

"It won't hurt her will it?"

"No, but if she stabilizes and recovers, she will need a lot of rehabilitation and exercise."

"Her rehab right now is your medical expertise as well as rest. Do I make myself clear?"

The Doctor glared at Chakotay. "Perfectly," he grumped.

"And she doesn't know I'm here, understand?"

The EMH looked at him with an incredulous expression. "No, I don't understand. You rescued her," objected the doctor. "Why do you not want her to know? You're her friend and it might help in her recovery!"

Chakotay ignored the last part of the doctor's' statement and said firmly, "Personal reasons doctor and you will obey my order, is that clear?"

"If you say so, Commander. But - well, I happen to agree with keeping her sedated for awhile yet, but I'm still not in agreement on keeping her sedated the entire three weeks we have left before arriving at Earth. She will need to start exercising those atrophied muscles once she is awake."

"She can do all that rehab at Earth. Just let her rest." He looked down at Kathryn and repeated that in a whisper. "Just let her rest," and he once again sat down and took hold of her hand.

He remained at her side for the next five days and then one morning the doctor shook his shoulder to awaken him. As Chakotay rubbed at his eyes, the doctor smiled.

"You will be pleased to know Commander that the Captain's readings have been gradually returning to normal for the last two days and this morning everything is normal!"

Chakotay stood and looked down at Kathryn and then looked at the EMH.

"She's going to be all right? She's going to live?"

"Yes, as well as everybody else in this room."

Chakotay expelled a deep breath and his shoulders visibly straightened. "Thank you doctor," and he turned and left the room for the first time.

As he strode onto the bridge every face turned and looked at him. Tuvok rose from the command chair and looked at this man who had started out hating him for his supposed treachery to the Maquis and whom now considered him a friend. He raised his eyebrow in question.

"Kathryn is going to be all right," he announced. "Her readings are all normal this morning and the doctor says she is going to make it."

The crew broke into large smiles, with some cheers and backslapping.

"Thank you all. I haven't said that yet, but I want you to know I'm very grateful." He turned to Tuvok and gave him a small smile.

"May I suggest you now get some rest Commander," said Tuvok.

"This will surprise you Tuvok, but I will. The ship is yours," and he turned and strode off the bridge and as he entered his cabin he stopped in the center of the room, threw his head back and muttered "Thank you" He then immediately laid down on his bed and was soon in the first restful sleep he had achieved in a very long time.

* * * * *

Return To Dorvan IV

The trip to earth was a little longer than the remaining three weeks. Chakotay had the Warp drive shut down, as B'Elanna had told him it was beginning to growl like a Klingon and it needed servicing. So they ran on Impulse the rest of the way. They also turned off the Cloaking Device, feeling it was no longer necessary. In the meantime Chakotay checked in daily at Sick Bay and each time before leaving would lean down and repeat his message, "Don't die Kathryn. Fight to stay alive, don't ever give up."

At last they reached hailing distance of Earth. Chakotay had been moving around talking quietly to the Maquis crew all morning. He suddenly stood and to the surprise of the Starfleet crew on the bridge at that moment, asked Tuvok to connect him to Admiral Roan. When the hail was accomplished, Admiral Roan's face appeared on the screen. He expressed great surprise at seeing Chakotay on a Starship.

"I just wanted you to know, Admiral that the Maquis have done your dirty work for you. We found and rescued Captain Janeway along with seven other member of her crew that were still alive - if you can call their condition at the time as being alive. As to my being on the ship I will let Tuvok explain everything in his debriefing when the ship gets home. However, I must inform you that I won't be on this ship, nor will the other Maquis who accomplished this feat, so don't try to divert any nearby Starfleet vessel to intercept us.

"We are going to divert to Dorvan IV and we will beam off at that time. This leaves you with seven Starfleet members to bring the ship in. If you feel that is unsafe then feel free to fly out and meet them once they are away from Dorvan and transfer some more crew members aboard."

Admiral Roan had remained silent during Chakotay's speech and now actually smiled, which rather surprised the Maquis intently watching the monitor.

"You forget Commander, you and the Maquis received a pardon. You are welcome to come to Earth, but if you do not trust that statement and it is your desire to debark at Dorvan IV I understand." He hesitated a moment and then softly added, "Thank you Commander, and thanks to all the Maquis for a job well done. You did what Starfleet failed to do. Admiral Roan out."

Chakotay, a little non-plussed by what the Admiral said, leaned back and then turned and smiled broadly at everyone on the bridge as both screens blinked off. "Maybe the Maquis aren't such bad guys after all," and everyone laughed. He tapped the button for ships wide communication and said simply, "We will be at Dorvan in less than an hour. All Maquis pack anything you want to take with you, say your goodbyes and meet in the Transporter Room."

In a little less than an hour later, they reached the prescribed stationary orbit over Dorvan. Chakotay then entered the coordinates for his cabin and knew the Maquis were beginning to assemble in the Transporter Room. In fact he felt quite sure most were already there waiting.

Chakotay turned to Tuvok. "The bridge and ship are all yours, Tuvok. I'm sorry to leave you with the explanation to Starfleet, but it's better this way."

"I fail to understand your leaving the ship Commander as the Admiral did stress your pardon. I also understand from the Doctor you have kept Captain Janeway under sedation. May I ask for what reason? She has a right to know you are the one who saved her."

"It's personal Tuvok, so please honor my decision. Do not tell her - besides, it was Starfleet and Maquis alike, who made the rescue."

Tuvok scowled deeply at this. "That is not logical that she should not know. I fail to . . ."

Chakotay held up his hand. "Please Tuvok, just honor my decision. We want it this way. Once we have beamed off, head for Earth at Warp 6. The sooner you get those people to a Starfleet hospital the better they will be." He abruptly signaled an end to this conversation by walking to Alderson, Rogers, Townsend and Simpson, whom he had called to the bridge, and thanked them all for their assistance as he shook their hand.

Alderson then relieved White Cloud at Helm, Rogers took Fitz' position at OPS, Townsend stepped to Security and relieved Chadwick, and Simpson moved to the command chair allowing Tuvok to go to the Transporter room and bid the Maquis farewell

Chakotay then headed for Sick Bay and walked quickly around the room, glancing down at each patient to make sure they were all right. All appeared to be asleep or still sedated. He nodded at the Doctor and thanked him.

Ensign Scott suddenly opened his eyes and raised his head as Chakotay headed for Kathryn's bed.

"Sir, he said in a still hoarse voice. "Who are you? I would like to thank you personally for what you did in saving us."

Chakotay stopped, turned back to the cot, smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "It's thanks enough to know you are safe and on your way home."

He then walked to Kathryn's cot and looked down at her for a long time. Her hair was starting to grow again, but just stubble as yet. Still, she looked better than when they discovered her. However, she was still scarecrow thin and her eyes still sunken with the cheekbones prominent. All of the sores appeared to be healed, due no doubt to the doctor using a Regenerator. Even if she had scars on her face Chakotay knew she would still be beautiful to him.

He leaned down and whispered at her ear, "Be well Kathryn. You are alive and safe now," and he turned and walked to his cabin.

As he came out of his room with a small bag B'Elanna came running up beside him.

"What the hell are you doing? I just heard you are going to beam off the ship before we reach Earth. The Maquis I can understand, but why you?"

Chakotay smiled as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. "It's a personal decision B'Elanna. It's best this way."

"But why? I don't understand. Why is it better? You saved those people and they deserve to know! Captain Janeway deserves to know," she said in almost a shout as they entered the Transporter room.

"I know she's alive and safe B'Elanna. That's all that's necessary."

"No it isn't! Chakotay you are an ass! Why are you doing this?"

"Indeed," said Tuvok as he turned from the console and joined them. "It is most illogical Commander. I simply do not understand your reason to leave the ship."

"Look you two. We all saved Kathryn and the remnants of her crew. That was our mission and our goal and we accomplished that. Now I'm asking you to complete the trip to Earth and get her home. Is that so hard?"

"Yes it is hard, damn it," growled B'Elanna. "You did this, you saved the Captain. Starfleet deserves to know as well as the Captain."

"Starfleet does know. As far as Kathryn, no. and that's final. As I said, I know and that's what's important to me. Please honor that decision."

"It just doesn't make sense. Give me one good reason Chakotay," B'Elanna pleaded in a conciliatory tone.

Chakotay saw the room was now full of Maquis and it was time to depart. He sighed. "As I said it's personal. After our debriefings when we got back to Earth, well - I don't think the Captain and I were on the best of terms, so please, let's just leave it this way. Promise me you won't tell her?"

B'Elanna stared at Chakotay, obviously at a loss to understand her friend, even now. At last she nodded her head, but added, "I still think you're wrong."

Chakotay grinned. "I've been wrong a lot."

Just then Dalby called out, "Chief, everyone is here and we are all ready."

"All right. Beam down in groups of four. I have the coordinates set for my backyard.

Ayala, Gerron, Mulchaey and Tabor stepped on the pad, Tuvok moved to the console and the four with a smile and wave, soon twinkled out of sight.

Chadwick, Sullivan, Snake Eyes and White Cloud were next, followed by Henley, Chell, Dalby and Brooks. At the last minute the two Bajoran's, Kierna and Royko, came racing in, having decided to beam down with the Maquis and celebrate their successful mission. They would later contact their people and get a ride home. Chakotay was now the last.

He reached out and pulled B'Elanna to him in a tight hug. "Take care of yourself B'Elanna and give Tom my best. Also give that beautiful daughter of yours a kiss from me."

B'Elanna squeezed Chakotay tight and said, "I will. You take care and please keep in touch."

Chakotay stepped onto the pad and looked at Tuvok. "Goodbye my friend. Give T'Pel my thanks and love. Also, I told the doctor, but check and make sure that he revives Kathryn now so she can enjoy the rest of the trip home."

"I shall Commander, but I must tell you I still do not understand this action."

Chakotay smiled, said, "Energize," and was gone.

"Most illogical," said Tuvok to B'Elanna.

"She smiled and said, "I agree, but when he makes up his mind about something, well he can be as stubborn as the Captain."

"Indeed," replied Tuvok as they walked out of the Transporter room.

* * * * * *

Home

Chakotay materialized on his backyard and looked up at the sky. Soon he saw a pinprick of light shoot out of sight and smiled. Tuvok remembered.

"Have a good life Kathryn," he said softly and walked inside the cabin.

The Maquis celebrated their successful mission that night, but not in a raucous drunken party. They talked of what they did, their success and how awful all the prisoners appearance was. Dalby even suggested a real life warning be sent regarding the Zhahare planet and maybe there would be a real attack against them by the victimized planets. That suggestion seemed to have unanimous agreement.

"I hope that Lharli guy kept his word and took all those prisoners to safety," muttered Sullivan.

"Yeah and that it wasn't fake and he later dumped them out an airlock," said Chadwick. Then he quickly added "I'm sorry," as some looked shocked. "After all my years in Starfleet Intelligence I guess I'm just naturally suspicious."

"I don't think they would do that. I saw the look in the leader's eye," said Chakotay, "and there was something about him that made me believe he and his race, the Lharli, are honorable people."

Chakotay then raised his beer and said, "Tomorrow you can all leave and go home, but for now, for tonight, we celebrate good friends and a successful mission. Thank you one and all."

Kathryn was awakened and even in her extremely weak and fragile condition, reveled in being alive, being out of that mine and that she and the remnants of her crew would soon be back on earth. The doctor impressed on her she had a long, long rehabilitation ahead of her, but she just smiled, said that would be a 'piece of cake' in comparison to what they had been through and then turned and looked at the monitor, as Tuvok, in a ships wide communication had just informed the ship that Earth was now coming into view and now relayed a picture of Earth to all monitors throughout the vessel.

Kathryn's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the blue orb.

* * * * *

Five months later

Chakotay had just returned from shopping in town. He was putting the last of the groceries on the shelf when her heard his console beep, indicating an incoming message.

As he turned it on, he was surprised to see the face of Admiral Roan.

"Hello Commander. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"No Admiral. I had just gotten home from the village. What can I do for you?"

"Well we have received a message that was sent via sub-space relay, picked up by one of our ships and further relayed on to Headquarters, where it was referred to me. I am puzzled by it and thought perhaps you might understand and enlighten me . . ."

"I'll try. What does it say?"

The Admiral picked up a Padd and started reading. "Hail the large man from Earth from the Lharli. Our mission was accomplished and all persons now healthy and in contact with their homes. Many thanks. Your machines were excellent."

Chakotay broke into a large grin.

"Care to explain, Commander?"

"The Lharli were a race taken captive and sent to work in that mine. They had just been captured the day before so were still quite healthy when we rescued Kath . . . Captain Janeway. We had released all the prisoners at the mine and the Lharli volunteered to take them, as we didn't have room. It would have been unconscionable to leave them there. There were over one hundred prisoners in unbelievable condition and I think once the guards returned they would enslave them again . . . he is just confirming he kept his word, Admiral."

"I see. And - what exactly did he mean by 'your machines were excellent,' Commander?"

"I'm sure Mr. Tuvok explained that."

"Nothing was mentioned about this race at all. He just said all prisoners were released to go to their home worlds. At the time no one questioned how they would go home."

Chakotay couldn't help it and laughed out loud. Tuvok had told the truth, he just hadn't told the entire story! Typical Vulcan subterfuge he chuckled to himself.

"Ships were provided for them Admiral. That's all I can say, and please don't pursue it. You won't like the answer."

The Admiral stared at Chakotay for what seemed several minutes and then said softly, "I note when The Grant was returned the shuttle was not in the shuttle bay. I . . . assume it suffered irreparable damage?"

"Yes Admiral it did," said Chakotay with a straight face.

"And the shuttle Alderson had loaned was reported 'lost' in the mission. Is that also correct?"

"Yes Admiral."

He looked at Chakotay for a long moment and Chakotay thought he saw a twinkle in his eyes as well as a slight smirk. The Admiral then nodded his head and said, "Then that is the official report. The matter is closed."

Chakotay smiled. "Thank you Admiral."

"How are you and your men Commander?"

"Fine sir, and may I inquire the condition of the people we rescued?"

"All recovering nicely and are enduring rehabilitation while attaining their health. Currently they are all on an extended and indefinite medical leave from their duties."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Well thank you for clearing up this . . . message, Commander. Maybe the Maquis will be called upon in the future. Good day."

As Chakotay's screen went black he grinned. That Admiral Roan was an okay guy and he even hinted Starfleet might once again turn to the Maquis for help! He rose, yawned and feeling tired headed to his sofa, laid down and promptly fell asleep.

* * * * *

The Truth Is Revealed

An hour later he opened his eyes and looked around. Something had awakened him. Then he heard the rapping at the door and realizing that's what it was, rose, yawned and stretched, and walked to the door.

As he neared the door he glanced out the window and saw White Cloud on his horse, with another horse beside him, but no one in the saddle. Thinking Snake Eyes was at the door he flung it open and was about say something sarcastic - but upon seeing who stood there he was stunned, unable to say a word.

"Hello Chakotay," said Kathryn.

He stared for a long moment and then finally regained his senses. "Kathryn! What a surprise! How are you?"

"I'm fine - now. Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Oh! Yes, yes. Come in. I'm sorry, I was just so surprised."

As Kathryn brushed by him he felt his body shudder for a moment, and then stepped out on the porch and looked toward White Cloud who simply waved, and then digging his heels into his horse's flanks started to ride back to town, the other horse trotting behind. Chakotay stepped back inside and shut the door.

Kathryn was standing in the middle of the room looking around. She smiled at Chakotay.

"This is very nice. It has your touch, Chakotay. I think I would know it was yours without being told."

"Thank you Kathryn. It serves my purpose. So how are you? You're looking well, but maybe a little thinner than when I last saw you on Earth."

She looked at him a moment and then replied, "I did lose a little weight, but I'm gradually getting it back. What have you been up to since I saw you at the debriefings?"

"Not much - just relaxing and reacquainting myself with my people. Oh . . . I'm being rude. I'll make you some hot tea if you would like. I'm sorry but I don't have coffee," he said with a grin.

She laughed and replied, "Tea is fine, Chakotay," and he disappeared into the kitchen while she moved to the sofa and sat down. Chakotay reappeared a few moments later with two cups of tea and placed them down on the coffee table. He sat down on the sofa, but kept his distance from her. They both took a sip in silence.

"So you haven't been doing anything but being lazy?" she said with a smile.

"That's right. Making up for all those years on Voyager when you wouldn't let me sleep in," he said with a chuckle. You look good Kathryn. Your hair . . . it's a little shorter isn't it?"

"Somewhat. It was even shorter than this awhile back."

Chakotay's eyes widened. "Shorter? I like you with long hair. It's more becoming I think."

She took another sip of tea and then said, "I guess you know I lost another ship."

Chakotay feigned great surprise and shock. "Really? I hadn't heard that. You get another ship and lose it, too? That's quite a track record, Kathryn," he laughed. "Not the Delta Quadrant this time I guess."

Suddenly Kathryn said, "I know Chakotay, so you can stop the charade. You aren't very good at that game you know."

He gave her a puzzled look. "Well no I never was any good at charades but what do you mean by I can stop?"

"Come on Chakotay. I know. As a matter of fact I know almost everything, so stop waltzing around."

"I still don't understand, Kathryn."

She stared at him a moment and then leaned towards him and placed her hand over his and said, "Why Chakotay? Why didn't you want me to know it was you who found and rescued me from that mine? I thought we were good friends".

"We are, and I still don't know what you mean," he said trying to maintain a look of innocence while his heart was beating wildly. "What mine?"

"It's going to be like that is it? All right, but I'm not going to play your game. Let me tell you what I know and how I found out." She took another sip of her tea, slowly placed it down on the table and looked him straight in the eye.

"After I was rescued and returned to Earth, during most of the early days the remnants of my crew and I just spent time in our separate rooms being treated and trying to recover. Then as we slowly regained our health we started visiting one another and at times were all in the same room.

"One day I mentioned I would sure like to know what Starfleet group rescued us, and Lt Adams, who was my Helm, said he wasn't sure they were Starfleet at all. I asked why and he said they weren't wearing Starfleet uniforms and didn't have Starfleet badges on. Of course I replied that if this were a secret mission they wouldn't be wearing any recognizable uniforms of any kind.

"Lt Adams shook his head and said he still didn't think they were Starfleet. Ensign Scott agreed with him and said that he was approached by this 'big guy' as he described him, and asked if he were Starfleet, and when he said he was, this guy tapped his badge and said something like Ela, we need the stretcher. He called the people with him Sully and Fitz. Scott was pretty hazy on some of the events, and later remembered he had some things out of time, but remembered hearing that Ela we need a stretcher statement at some point.

"I interjected that those were not familiar names and asked if they heard any other names. One of the other crewman said he remembered something like Chad and another Ensign said she remembered a Snake Eyes. We all laughed at the names, figuring they were cover-up names." Kathryn then reached out to her tea and took another sip and again turned to him.

"Lt. Adams also mentioned that 'the big guy' sat at my bed day and night until the doctor said I was going to make it. This seemed to impress Adams very much, that every time he came out of his haze, this man was sitting at my bed, so he figured this guy knew me from some past mission.

"Then the kicker," she said as she looked directly into Chakotay's eyes, and who just stared back with an impassive look. She stared at him quite a while before continuing.

"Ensign Scott happened to mention that one day on the ship this big guy came into Sick Bay and was checking each person and Scott asked him who he was that he'd like to thank him personally. The guy just smiled and said who he was wasn't important, that the important thing was they were all safe now. He then went to my bed, according to Scott, and stared at me for a long time, then before leaving leaned over and whispered something in my ear, left the room and that no one ever saw him again.

"I asked if he ever found out his name and he shook his head and said, 'no but if I ever see him again I will recognized him because he had this tattoo on his forehead.

"Well," said Kathryn as she stared at Chakotay who was now showing a tinge of red in his cheeks, and kicking himself that he hadn't covered up that tattoo. "There is only one person I know who has a tattoo on his forehead, and the name Ela suddenly registered with me as Ayala. The rest of the group began to chime in quite loudly and very excitedly, that yes they also remembered this big guy had that strange tattoo.

"Scott also mentioned there was some Klingon helping treat them in Sick Bay when they first beamed up, but he added 'well at least part Klingon. She had ridges on her forehead'. Everything was now beginning to come together for me, but still I had to be sure."

Chakotay interrupted quietly. "There are a lot of people with Tattoo's, Kathryn, and a lot of Klingon's serving Starfleet."

"I realize that, that's why I had to be sure and do some more checking. As it so happened, the next day B'Elanna appeared for a visit and I immediately told everyone to gather in my room. She seemed very nervous as one after another came into the room and one Ensign, upon entering the room, immediately recognized her and mentioned seeing her on the ship.

"At first she denied it, saying all Klingon's look alike but finally, when everyone realized they recognized her as being on that ship, she caved in and I managed to get her to open up. Actually she said it was a relief to be able to tell me, as she said she had argued with you about that, quite vehemently, per her words.

"She told me everything she knew Chakotay, your insisting Tuvok get a ship once you found out I was missing, who was involved, the plan, everything, and the minute she left I placed a call to Tuvok. Of course it took a bit more persuasion before I got him to spill the beans but he told me absolutely everything, even down to the tiniest detail." She stopped and stared at Chakotay who now seemed a bit contrite at being found out and had a tiny smile showing at the ends of his lips.

"Some people just can't keep a secret," he said with an impish smile. "I made them promise not to tell. I guess I can't trust anyone."

"Don't blame them, Chakotay, because as time went on everyone in my crew started to remember things - they remembered more faces and the names they heard and were able to describe people. Lt Adams finally remembered your name, from the day we were rescued when you went to every bed and Ayala had told you Adams name and called you by name." She stopped for a moment and again leaned toward him and placed her hand over his.

"I ask you again Chakotay why didn't you want me to know you were the one who organized and planned the mission and rescued us? Why? I just don't understand."

Chakotay, feeling embarrassed that he had actually believed those crewmen were in such bad shape they wouldn't remember anything about the rescue or the people, sat quietly for several minutes. Finally he said with an impish smile, "I was just being a good First Officer and looking for my Captain."

"Chakotay, please," she complained." No games. Why?"

He was quiet a moment and then looking at her finally acquiesced. With a sad look on his face he said, "Well after Seven and I started our relationship you seemed different somehow, like you were angry or hurt about it and then during debriefings you never talked to me, not once."

"We were swamped at that time Chakotay, and they seemed to keep us in different meetings."

"The evenings were free Kathryn," he said quietly, "but you still didn't contact me, so when the debriefings were over we, the Maquis that is, just left for Dorvan IV."

Kathryn looked down at her lap for a moment and then into Chakotay's eyes. "When you seemed to disappear I just thought you wanted time with Seven." She hesitated briefly and then added, "I'm sorry about Seven. B'Elanna told me."

He smiled. "She didn't much care for it here. I guess it was irrelevant and a waste of time to live someplace like this, but I was so taken by the fact I thought I could teach her humanity and that she seemed to care for me that the fact we were totally miss-matched didn't enter my mind. Finally after two months we agreed to end our relationship and she went back to Earth. I have no idea where she is now as she hasn't contacted me." He smiled. "The story of my life, I just don't have any luck with women."

Kathryn wanted to laugh but knew this wasn't the time, so just smiled. "You did seem to have bad luck, what with Riley, Kellin, Species 8472 and whoever else."

"Seven."

"Ah yes, Seven. I'm sorry Chakotay. Some day you will find someone, maybe sooner than you think," she said softly and with a small smile.

"I'm not even looking Kathryn," he said in an almost cold voice. "Look your tea is cold; can I warm it up for you or get you a fresh cup?"

"A fresh cup would be nice," she said as he stood.

As they sat and drank the fresh tea, Kathryn finished telling Chakotay everything she had been told by Tuvok and B'Elanna, as well as exclaiming how brilliant the plan was, especially Sully and Fitz' tapping into the communications center for that bogus newsflash. Kathryn laughed when she mentioned hearing that Dalby was the first to volunteer, saying she thought he hated Starfleet but in truth she had felt he was a good man and was glad he helped.

She also talked of how patient he had been searching that sector and not giving up. Kathryn, ever inquisitive and wanting to know even minute details, also asked a lot of questions, especially being interested in how exactly he came up with Kathleen Sullivan and Chadwick to help as well as how did he obtain the one shuttle with four Starfleet personnel.

Chakotay patiently answered all her questions, knowing Kathryn wouldn't let up until she had her answers. During this time Chakotay decided to warm up the stew he had made the day before and they continued to talk after he set in on the stove. In the end she still had her question of why he hadn't wanted her to know he was the one who rescued her. He always gave the same pat answer, that as a First Officer he had to watch out for his Captain, which started to make Kathryn feel not only irritated, but also a little depressed. She felt strongly there was some other answer he was not stating and so he continued to evade that question. Then she thought of something B'Elanna had told her and bravely decided to broach the subject.

"One other thing, Chakotay, and a sensitive subject I know, but knowing you I can well imagine how hard it was for you to let that one ship and all those pods be destroyed so as to not give away your position."

His head snapped up and his face went white and his body seemed to sag and then he quickly looked away. All Kathryn heard was the ticking of the clock but finally in a barely audible voice he said, "I still have nightmares about it. B'Elanna was right, I should have saved them, but I couldn't if I wanted to rescue you and your crewmembers."

"But you didn't even know if I was alive, Chakotay."

He looked at her, his expression seemingly to question her sanity in that statement. Finally after a long moment he replied, "I knew, Kathryn, and not through any Vision Quest . . . somehow I just knew you had to be alive." He looked at her and grinned. "You defeated the Borg too many times and besides you are just too stubborn to die." She roared with laughter on that.

Kathryn then looked sadly at him. "Also, in the event you hadn't figured it out yet, they did the same to us, destroyed the ship and then all pods but the one I was in. I was helpless to save them, but in retrospect, they were the lucky ones."

Chakotay just nodded, knowing she must also be having nightmares at seeing her crew murdered.

Kathryn then took another sip of tea and quietly added, "If it's any consolation, after hearing what B'Elanna said, and your argument and reasons, I would have made the same decision. But with the kind of person you are, Chakotay, I can't even begin to imagine the torment you were feeling to have to stand by and do nothing."

"It doesn't matter. The decision was made and I have to live with it," he said looking away so she couldn't see the pain in his eyes. "Well, dinner must be ready," and he rose and went into the kitchen.

Following dinner they stood out on the back deck enjoying the starlit night. During all their conversations Kathryn had started to become painfully aware that Chakotay had not once looked at her with longing eyes, nor even touched her in any way. When she had twice placed her hand over his he had not even twitched a finger and suddenly she realized - she knew - she had lost him. As the thought he really had rescued her as 'just a friend screamed in her mind, she felt hurt, embarrassed and angry with herself.

She looked at him for a long time, unaware Chakotay was admiring the way the moonlight shone on that new hair of hers. Suddenly she knew what had to be done and as painful as it was going to be for her she had to do it. She stepped toward him until they were toe-to-toe.

Reaching up she placed a hand gently on his cheek and looking into his brown eyes said, "I want you to know I will be forever grateful for what you did. You saved our lives through sheer determination and belief that I wasn't dead. I realize now you did it for me as just your friend, and so be it, but beyond that, and more importantly, I want you to finally know, to understand, that I love you, that I have loved you all through the Delta Quadrant and will always love you. I know I have lost you and that's my own fault, but I just fervently hope we can always be dear and close friends."

She then stretched her head up and gently kissed him on the lips, said "Goodbye dear Chakotay. Thank you for saving my life and stay well and be happy," and then turned and walked into and through the house and out the front door. As she started walking towards town she kicked herself for telling White Cloud to take the horse back with him. She still didn't have all her strength back and this was going to be one tough hike, not only for the distance, but doing it at night.

Chakotay meanwhile stood rooted on the deck, his feet unable to move, his mouth dry and unable to make a sound, stunned at what Kathryn had just said.

Kathryn was walking resolutely down the path, about thirty yards from the cabin when Chakotay came running up and skidded to a halt right in front of her, making her stop abruptly so as to not bump into him.

As Chakotay gasped for air he looked at her and said, "Kathryn, if you think I'm going to let you walk away from here after what you just told me you have another think coming!"

He took hold of both her arms and asked, "Do you mean it Kathryn? Do you really love me?" Before she could answer he pulled her roughly to him and tightly engulfed her in his arms. Kathryn buried her face into his shoulder as she suddenly found her eyes filling with tears and then slipped her arms around his waist.

He repeated his question. "Did you mean it Kathryn? Do you love me?"

"Oh Chakotay," she whispered. "I do love you so very, very much." His arms tightened even more and they stood wrapped in each other's arms a long time. At last, Chakotay pulled his head back, just far enough, and kissed her, sweetly, tenderly and then with passion.

As their lips finally parted he said, "I love you Kathryn Janeway. I don't think through anything, even Seven, that I ever stopped loving you. That's why I had to rescue you, that's the 'why' I couldn't let you know it was me," he said in a croaking voice, "Because I didn't think you cared for me and never would, and considered me only as a close friend. I just didn't want you to feel obligated in anyway."

"Well you were wrong, in fact we were both wrong it seems," she said softly. "I have to admit something to you. It was always thoughts of you that kept me going in that mine, Chakotay. I would think of you and picture your face and even things you might be saying to me, and one of the most amazing things is that I always heard your voice telling me to not die, to fight, to survive, and later I found out from the EMH that was what you said to me every morning and night when I was unconscious on the ship. I thought it was a dream or maybe you in a vision quest, and it . . . you . . . throughout that entire ordeal, it was thoughts of you that gave me the will to live."

They smiled at one another and then with no further words turned and headed back to the cabin, each with an arm around the other.

The End



EPILOGUE
6 Years later

Kathryn smiled as she heard the peals of laughter ringing across the backyard. She walked to the door and looked out and saw Chakotay on his hands and knees playing 'horsy' to their two children, Kolopak Edward and Katy Gretchen. Both were currently on their father's back and he was crawling around while they yelled "Giddy up Daddy, giddy up!"

She smiled at the word Daddy. Chakotay was as devoted a father as there was. He showered their children with love and devotion and yet at the same time did not spoil them, being firm in tone when he had to. He also showered her with love and devotion and talked constantly of family and love to Kolopak and Katy. They were five and three and one-half respectively and her heart swelled with love as she watched the three of them frolic on the grass.

As they played, her thoughts strayed back to what brought about this family scene:

Six years ago she had come to Dorvan IV to confront Chakotay on him saving her from that mine, and not wanting her to know it was he. At the end she had confessed her love for him and attempted to leave, feeling she had lost any chance for his love. He ran after her and they had not been apart for one moment since.

They decided to marry immediately and five days later their cabin was full to overflowing. All the Maquis who had participated in that rescue mission were there, plus the Starfleet gang of Mulcahey, Alderson, Townsend, Rogers and Simpson. B'Elanna and Tom were there as well as Tuvok and T'Pel along with Vorik. In addition two surprise guests arrived, Ambassador Saldek and Admiral Roan, and it turned out it was the Admiral who had actually arranged all the transportation once he heard of the impending marriage. At first Kierna and Royko said they would be unable to attend, but showed up at the last minute, much to everyone's delight.

The ceremony was simple but had an elegant feel of love throughout. The celebration following the ceremony was also filled with lots of smiles and love. And much to Dalby's embarrassment, Kathryn even gave him a kiss on the cheek when he congratulated her, and although he muttered, "You can't trust these Starfleeters" everyone could see the look of pride on his face. Although the cabin was crowded, somehow everyone managed to make it through the night.

The next day Chakotay and Kathryn flew back to Earth with the group. Kathryn had told Chakotay she would resign from Starfleet following their marriage, but kidded him that she wouldn't take that action until he was officially her husband. Chakotay was pleased but as she loved being Captain he worried she might regret that decision later.

At that statement Kathryn, in a most Captainesque manner, informed him that after all she had gone through in that mine, that she did not want to ever stand on the bridge of another ship as a pompous Starfleet Captain, that he was her bridge, her rock forever and he better damn well accept and believe that explanation or else!

Chakotay smirked and responded that he was convinced, but only because of the word 'pompous' and not 'or else', causing both to laugh hilariously. Kathryn chuckled now as she thought of that day, and then continued her reminiscing.

Many, including the Maquis, made arrangements of their own, so the shuttle was not full on the return trip to Earth; still there was a lot of gaiety. After landing Kathryn and Chakotay immediately headed for Starfleet Headquarters, and walked directly to the Personnel Office where Kathryn filled out the appropriate forms and resigned from Starfleet, a decision she never once, to this day, regretted.

Next, they headed to the Starfleet Hospital, where both spent the entire day enduring a rigorous physical exam. Both were pronounced fit and Kathryn's question, "At my age is it safe for me to have a child," was given a qualified yes, as long as she had twenty-four hour care. At that point they cajoled, wheedled and threatened Starfleet until Admiral Roan intervened and Starfleet agreed to give them a disc containing their own EMH from Voyager.

Kolopak was born almost eleven months later without any difficulty and in another fifteen months Katy was born. Chakotay had insisted Kathryn be fully recuperated and healed from Kolopak's birth before having another child. Following Katy's birth both had once again started the anti-pregnancy shots.

As to naming the children, Kathryn had insisted on the son being named after Chakotay's father and he agreed but added Kathryn's father's name of Edward as the middle name. The same held true with Katy. Chakotay insisted she be named Kathryn and they finally agreed on Katy with Kathryn's mother Gretchen the middle name.


Now as she stood there on the porch watching them play, her heart was filled with immense love and pride. Kathryn laughed as Chakotay suddenly went flat, spilling the children to the ground and they squealed with laughter.

"Mommy come join us," called out Katy after seeing her standing in the doorway.

"Yes, mommy, you come play horsy and let daddy rest," said Chakotay with a chuckle.

She loved those words, mommy and daddy, and as she walked out on the grass and got down on her hands and knees, she looked at Chakotay and said, "How do I let you talk me into these things?"

"Because you're not a pompous Captain and you love me," he said with a grin as he also got down and then groaned, first from Kathryn's punch on his arm and next as Kolopak leaped on his back.

Katy crawled onto Kathryn's back and the two grownups, playing horsy with their children, crawled around the yard, while the children called out "Giddy up." However, it was really hard to tell who were having more fun, the children or Kathryn and Chakotay.


The End
November2001

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