Chapter 6 || Contents || Chapter 8

Pandemonium was the only word to describe the scene on deck five's crew quarters number nineteen. Chakotay could hear the noise the minute he exited the turbolift. Off duty personnel were yelling and throwing punches at anybody they could reach, and the cramped room didn't help the matter any. Bunked beds that were bolted to the wall had come loose in the ensuing brawl and were in danger of being upended on everybody's heads. Pillows, blankets, and personal belongings were scattered about on the floor, on the ceiling fixtures, in the trash bins, and on the beds. Approximately twenty crew members were crammed into a compartment meant to house six individuals, all of them swinging, kicking, and cursing furiously at each other. The commander was amazed that the room could hold that much action within its walls. As he and Tuvok drew closer, the action was moving into the corridor.

Okay, people, break it up! he yelled, but his voice was lost in the tumult. He tried to push his way through the mass of moving bodies into the center of the room, but too many people blocked his path. Then someone's fist smashed into his nose and that finished his attempts at ending the fight peacefully.

He wiped the blood away with the back of his hand and looked at the red smear. I do not want to deal with this right now, he thought angrily to himself. The next moment he whipped out his phaser and sent a stun burst directly into the middle of the fray. When three people went down immediately, the fighters stopped long enough to see what had happened. The sight of a bloody Chakotay, backed up by the imposing Vulcan and his personal phaser, was enough to convince everybody to pause for the moment.

Chakotay took a few deep breaths to calm his raging anger. In a controlled voice, he asked, Would someone mind telling me and the lieutenant what the hell is going on here?

The men, women, and aliens from several different ports in the Alpha Quadrant looked at each other, at the ceiling, at the blood spattering the floor tiles; anywhere except at the commander.

Well? Chakotay prompted.

It was all Rollins fault! someone yelled from the back of the room.

Don't change the facts! Rollins was just doing his job; he had nothing to do with any of this! It was Farrell, sir, came a fast reply.

His job! Ha! He thinks he's some Starfleet god or something, a gift to the....

A woman that Chakotay hardly recognized answered, You Maquis have no idea what doing your job even entails! The whole lot of you sit around, cooking up schemes to take over the ship....

A man wearing engineering gold and a Starfleet lieutenant's insignia stepped forward and pointed his finger into the woman's face. That's the biggest line of bullshit I've ever heard. The Maquis do as good a job as any Starfleet officer and you know it, Maia! You're just sore because some of them know more about this ship than we do, and they didn't have the benefit of the mighty Academy to help them along. I think....

That's enough! Tuvok ordered sternly as he pushed his way through the group to the three crewmembers just now coming round from the commander's stun shot. Nothing will be solved in this manner. I suggest you all keep your mouths shut before somebody says something to truly regret. He roughly pulled one of the stun victims into a sitting position. Chakotay moved to help him.

You'd think that after this much time you all could figure out how to get along together, he commented, stooping down to prop Ensign Partlow against one of the beds.

Crewman Dolby, an ardent Maquis supporter, offered his help as well. That's easy for you to say, Commander; you have your own quarters. You don't have to live with these Starfleet people.

Chakotay looked up at him, incensed. We've been over this before, Dolby, and I don't want to hear that kind of talk again!

Dolby held up his hands in surrender. No disrespect meant to you or the Starfleet personnel, Commander. But you have to admit that close quarters like this one tend to encourage the occasional squabble.

Chakotay grunted. Oh, a squabble? Is that what this is? It looks more to me like twenty intelligent individuals bent on killing each other.

Ensign Partlow pushed Chakotay's supporting hand away, and suddenly leaned over and spit into her palm. She held up a tooth for everybody to inspect. Fortunately, you stopped us before anybody could fulfill your prophecy.

Chakotay rubbed his forehead and wondered if he should laugh hysterically or start to cry right there in front of everybody.

Janeway wandered aimlessly down the corridor, her head bowed in thought, her eyes trained on the floor. She clasped her hands behind her back and continued her slow introspection, ignored by the few crewmembers who hurried passed, intent only on their assignments. Occasionally she heard a snatch of conversation between two passing officers, and once a whole group made way for her, laughing together at the narrowness of the corridor, jostling one another playfully. She noticed a few Maquis pips among the Starfleet personnel, and was happy that at least some of the crew were getting along.

She cast her mind back to her conversation with Kes earlier during lunch, and she wondered again at the choices she'd made. But she knew Kes was right; nothing more could have been done, by her or by anybody else. Had she not destroyed the array, the Kazon ships would surely have destroyed Voyager. It had been one of those no-win situations the brass at Starfleet were always forcing on its commanding officers, but something no one really expected to encounter. Well, the crew of Voyager had encountered it, and had survived. True, the ship was hardly running at peak efficiency, and the crew was a hodgepodge of untrained personnel, but she suspected they would pull through anything, as long as they were willing to stick together. However, she suspected that very togetherness would be the hardest test for the crew to withstand.

Her thoughts turned naturally to Seska then. She wondered how Seska really got along with the Kazon. She felt that Chakotay still didn't entirely believe that story about being a Kazon slave or mistress. But, her first officer knew Seska far better than she did, and she trusted his judgment implicitly. But again, she also had to wonder if the commander's judgment was as accurate as usual in this particular case. His past relationship with Seska could easily cloud the issue to complete obscurity, leading to endless confusion on his part. He may not buy her story, but he didn't want her hurt either. And what if that device, that folder, really did what Seska claimed it could do? What then? Could they all be back in Federation space tomorrow? For the first time she paused to consider what that might mean to the members of her ragtag crew.

Technically, the Maquis crewmembers should go on trial for crimes committed against the Federation. That meant she would have to testify against Chakotay, Torres, and the others. She would certainly do everything she could for them all, but her influence was in truth quite limited considering she was a starship captain. She could have her say, and give evidence of how well all the Maquis performed their duties and upheld Federation ideals in the Delta Quadrant. But she wondered if it would be enough.

Kathryn thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip as she passed into a secondary corridor. She rarely made it down this far into the bowels of the ship, but she knew exactly where she was. Storage bays lined this entire deck, and Kes' hydroponics lab was further along the corridor. The extra food reserves were stored in these bays, as well as a great deal of the machinery and computer replacements that they may need in the course of their journey. If they managed to acquire any more dilithium, it would probably have to be put in stasis in one of the smaller environmentally controlled bays on the swing side of the deck.

The captain was so deep in thought that she didn't hear the hydraulic swish of the door to Storage Bay seven. She was brought up short when she ran smack into the crewmember heading from the bay into the corridor. Excuse me, she automatically said, then caught her breath as she realized who she was speaking to.

Of all the rotten luck, the red uniformed ensign said before reaching out with a fist to catch Janeway hard on the temple. The captain reeled back from the well-aimed blow and hit the wall with a thud, knocking the air from her lungs. Before she could recover and sound the alarm, a small, alien weapon was thrust against her head.

Not a word, Seska warned in a rasping whisper. She pulled Janeway up and swung her around to grip her arm behind her back, then forcefully hauled her through the still open bay door.

The captain fought the spinning in her head, but she sounded sluggish as she asked, How did you get out of your quarters? And where did you come across the uniform?

Always full of questions, aren't you, Captain? Seska looked quickly around the bay, then headed for some large barrels and crates stacked in one corner, dragging Janeway with her. All I can tell you is that you made this a lot easier than we thought you would. I couldn't believe my luck when you put me in quarters instead of the brig. It's much harder to escape from behind a force field than it is to cut through the ship's ventilation system. Then to run into you now, and down here! I didn't think you upper class Federation types ever dirtied your boots by tramping into the storage areas, she sarcastically said, and pushed Janeway against the wall in the corner.

Captain Janeway felt the air rush from her lungs again, and she gasped while wondering how she could have been fooled so easily a second time by this woman. It was her sympathies, she decided. She would have to purge every sympathetic nerve in her body when she got out of this. If I get out of this, she thought blurrily.

I have to go now. Don't be angry. It's not your fault that you're the typical Starfleet gullible type. And thanks for the presents. Seska smiled, stepped back, and fired.

Janeway felt a white hot burst of energy explode in her stomach, and she fell hard to the cold deckplates in a heap of tingling arms and legs. Her voice refused to acknowledge her command to alert security through the computer system. Her hand was reaching for her combadge as Seska slipped out of the bay with a bulging pouch slung over one shoulder, but she was unconscious before her fingers could grasp the metal device.

Tuvok glared appropriately at the misbehaving crew. The captain will be informed of this incident and given the names of the crewmembers involved. I do not think she will be pleased with the report.

Oh, hang the captain! Ensign Monrow said injudiciously. One of the original instigators of the fray, he gingerly held his obviously broken left wrist and went on to retort, She doesn't care about the lot of us anyway. If she did, we wouldn't be living in these conditions for the next seventy years. He indicated the number of bunks in the cabin. Hell, we don't even know what's going on half the time. One minute we're fine, the next we're slammed against the wall of some spatial rift. Or we're under attack by some alien we've never even heard of. She doesn't give a damn about anything except her precious ship. We're just here as window dressing.

Chakotay grabbed Monrow and yanked him to his feet. Monrow gave a yelp of pain. You're wrong, the commander stated through clenched teeth. She does care. It just so happens she has a lot on her mind - like trying to get your worthless ass back home. Maybe if you helped instead of picking fights like a juvenile delinquent, we would all get there a bit faster. Eh? He shook the ensign until his head snapped back. Then he turned his glare on the other fighters. I want you all to get yourselves down to sickbay. I'll personally deal with your punishments later. Now move! he barked.

The group slowly shuffled out of the cabin. Two members had to be carried because of the serious nature of their injuries. Nobody glanced at Chakotay as they passed him in the corridor.

Tuvok was reaching for his combadge as the tail end of the group disappeared around the bend, but Chakotay stopped him. Let's wait to tell the captain about this.

Is that wise? Tuvok asked

Chakotay grunted. Maybe not. But it might not be wise to interrupt her day off again, either. I think this can -

The beep of Tuvok's combadge interrupted him. *Saunders to Tuvok.*

Tuvok here.

*Sir, you're not going to like this, but Seska isn't in her quarters. I don't think she's on the ship anymore.*

What? Chakotay barked in disbelief. I don't believe this!

Can you ascertain how she escaped? Tuvok asked.

*My guess is she went through the ventilation system. She must have been prepared to cut her way out because nothing is missing from the cabin and there's no sign of any use of a weapon.*

We must check the transporter logs....

*We already did that, sir. We're pretty sure she beamed out about five minutes ago. She scrambled the signals and the logs; we can't get a fix on her destination. My guess is she had a ship out there waiting for her.*

Very well, Ensign. Keep working on the transporter logs. I'll join you in a moment. Tuvok out. Immediately he called the Bridge. Maintain wide dispersal sensor sweeps for any unknown vessels, Mr. Paris. We will keep you informed.

*Aye, sir,* answered Paris, closing the comm channel.

Well, Seska knew what she was doing, that's for sure. Chakotay groaned. This is all we need.

Tuvok tilted his head thoughtfully. Since she was so prepared for an escape attempt, I wonder what else she was prepared for.

Meaning? Chakotay prompted.

It is logical that she came aboard Voyager to get something that we have and that she needed. We should inventory all our supplies to see what might be missing. Lieutenant Tuvok headed down the corridor at a brisk pace, followed closely by Chakotay.

A good idea. And I'll have B'Ellana assign someone to reconstruct the logs; maybe we can figure out where the devil she went this time. And I think we should bother the captain with this news.

The two entered the turbolift and Chakotay hit his combadge rather harder than necessary to deliver the day's latest development. Chakotay to Captain Janeway.

Silence greeted him.

Chakotay to Janeway. Please respond.

Nothing.

This behavior is most unusual for the captain, Tuvok commented serenely.

Chakotay was far from serene. His first thought was that the captain had encountered Seska and the Cardassian had killed her. His second thought was that maybe Seska had taken Janeway with her as a hostage or bargaining chip. He didn't know which he preferred. Computer! he ordered. Locate Captain Janeway!

The computer was as maddeningly calm as Tuvok. *Captain Janeway is in Storage Bay seven.*

Or at least her combadge is, was Tuvok's next comment.

Come on! Chakotay sprinted down the corridor the second the turbolift doors opened.

The first sensation Janeway could focus on was something touching her arm. It hurt. She jerked her elbow back, felt her knee twitch, and that hurt even more. She lay still again.

Aaaa leeshhh zheeezh aaaliiiiifff.

That was strange. It sounded as if somebody was speaking some alien language to her while that person stood somewhere over her, floating in the air above her head. The touch was transferred to her head then, and that really hurt! She struggled to burrow deeper into whatever she was laying on. But to her surprise, she opened her eyes instead.

She had been right: somebody was floating above her head. Somebody with very oddly shaped eyes, or eye rather, since she couldn't detect more than one. The entire image was a bit on the blurry side. Suddenly she caught sight of sleak black fur, and she smiled in understanding.

Bear, she said. Come here, girl.

But Bear wouldn't come any closer. The animal raised its head and looked off to one side. Bear? it asked, plain as day.

Janeway's eyes widened. You can talk! I didn't know that. But then, you always were a smart dog!

The figure leaned in again, accompanied by another strange being, this one with short spiky hair and a funny drawing on his cheek. Can you sit up? it asked.

Janeway attempted to shrug a shoulder and ended up kicking her foot into the wall. Sure. She tried to remember how to gather her muscles together at the last minute, but couldn't quite figure out what to do.

She is obviously having trouble with her motor control, one-eye said when her knee lifted abruptly and collided with the other one's chest.

Obviously, it wheezed.

Suddenly they grabbed her and pulled her upright.

Blood rushed to her head, and her face throbbed under the pressure. She put a hand to one temple, but that only made her fingers ache. Carefully she cradled her head in her hands and rocked forward. She lost her balance and would have smashed her forehead into the floor if they hadn't caught her in time.

I don't like this, one of the creatures said. Do you think it's safe to beam her directly to Sickbay?

Now that sounded familiar. She wondered why.

While Janeway tried her hardest to remember what the term Sickbay meant, the one-eyed thing said, That would be a risk. It seems she has been stunned by some alien weapon, perhaps of Kazon technology. We don't know what effect a transporter would have on a stun of that nature.

She was amazed that she could understand their speech so clearly, yet she didn't recognize them at all. And where had Bear gone off to? Where's Bear? she asked, suddenly afraid. She reached out with a hand to grab the one-eyed being's shoulder, but missed entirely and ended up with her head on the other one's leg. It would have to do; at least this one had two eyes. She looked up and entreated, Has Bear had her puppies yet?

Suddenly the creature leaned in so close to her that she was practically overwhelmed by the smell of its skin. Name! Rank! it shouted at her.

Namerank? What did that mean? Janeway rolled her head around to glance at the companion alien to see if she could get any clues from it, but that one remained completely stoic. She tried to mirror its expression, but realized that it had grown another eye since she'd last looked at it. She grinned. You've got another eye! Good for you!

The two looked at each other in complete bewilderment. Finally the one she was laying on said, Got any suggestions, Tuvok?

Tuvok! Yes, now she remembered! It was... was her... it... no, he was her chief of... cooking? Her stomach rumbled dangerously then. Oh dear, she was.... Then it hit her. Mr. Maquis person - Chaktoy - yes. She gestured at him by wriggling her right fingers. Or were they her left? He turned to look at her, and her stomach growled again. She pointed at Tuvok, then put her fingers to her lips. Shh. Let's not hurt his feelings but... don't eat the squash. No, that wasn't right. Squoosh. Then she lost her latest meal all over his shiny boots.

Captain, I suggest that you relax and let us do all the work, Tuvok said.

I'm not even sure that will do any good, Chakotay grunted.

After several attempts at moving Captain Janeway, they had made it as far as the storage bay door. But Janeway kept trying to help them along, and her help turned into a great deal of hindrance. If she tried to move her arm, she invariably kicked one of them instead. When Chakotay gave up and simply scooped her up in his arms, she promptly rolled right out of his grasp. Tuvok caught her just before she nearly cracked her head on the floor. They had accomplished the short distance only by dragging her across the deckplates, and Tuvok didn't think her clothes would handle similar abuse for much longer.

Ouch, Janeway said in response to Tuvok's advice.

What's wrong? Chakotay asked.

Janeway took a breath, then closed her mouth and opened her eyes wide. She was forced to make her brain give the reverse commands to her body before she could open her mouth again to say, You're standing on my hair.

Tuvok and Chakotay looked at each other. Neither man was anywhere near her hair that splayed across the floor.

Sorry, Chakotay said and moved his foot anyway.

That's better. Thank you.

Two pair of eyebrows arched up to touch two hairlines. It's a pity she is not still unconscious, Tuvok commented.

At last Chakotay leaned over his captain and put his hands on either side of her head to hold it steady. He looked her right in the eye, and to her credit, she was able to look back. Don't think. Don't try to move. Don't do anything. Understand?

No.

Good. Tuvok, grab her other side and lift. Maybe if we run, we can at least get to the turbolift before we have to drop her. Go!

With Tuvok on one side and Chakotay on the other, they pulled her to her feet and stumbled into the corridor.

Janeway's head hung down so she could only see the carpet rush by under their feet. But that was odd. She blinked. The carpet appeared to be getting closer.

Got it! Chakotay exclaimed, and they dragged her through a door into the lift. I think she's better standing up, he said. How do you feel now?

Janeway squinched her eyes hard while trying to think. I'm going to hit the floor any minute.

Chakotay nodded. Good. This works much better.

The captain stood propped up between them, enjoying the sensation that she was flying. The sensation increased as they led her into another corridor and headed for Sickbay. This was definitely more fun than laying in the storage bay. We should do this more often, she said when they entered Sickbay and the ride appeared to be over.

I don't think so, Chakotay answered. He glanced around the room, looking for an empty bed. In the ensuing attempt to get Captain Janeway to the medical unit, he had forgotten all about sending the twenty brawling crewmembers there as well. The room was crowded with people all gaping at the form of the captain dangling lifelessly between Tuvok and the commander.

Captain! Kes cried and hurried forward.

She's alive, Tuvok calmed Kes' first rush of concern. But it would be helpful to put her on a diagnostic bed and under restraints.

Restraints? Kes inquired. She motioned for Lieutenant Rollins to jump off the foot of the bed he was occupying. Is that necessary?

The doctor appeared from tending another patient. I will be the judge of what is necessary for the good of my patients. Now if you'll just lay her on the bed....

Tuvok and Chakotay heaved the captain onto the bed. Janeway's arm flung out and caught the unprepared Rollins on the jaw. Then she flipped off the end of the bed.

Geez! Rollins yelled. What did I do?

Chakotay grabbed Janeway's arms and Tuvok and Kes each held onto a leg. She didn't mean it. Trust me, the commander said. They raised her to the bed again.

Hmm, the doctor said. Perhaps restraints are in order here. Move aside, Commander. I'll take over now. He pushed Chakotay out of the way. Janeway's hand passed right through his holographic body when she flailed against the bed. He had her under a restraining field before she could move much more. There, that's better. You know, I've never treated the captain before. This is quite an honor. His voice turned irritated then. Now would someone please fill me in on what happened to her?

Tuvok and Chakotay explained as best they could what they thought had happened, interrupting each other to clear up the details, irritating the doctor even more. Ah, my first encounter with a Kazon phaser. It has a most peculiar effect on Humans, doesn't it?

You can say that again, said the usually impassive Vulcan.

The doctor ignored him to study the panel readouts above the bed. Yes, it's as I thought. Her nerve synapses have been chemically scrambled, explaining her odd behavior. That's easily remedied. He reached for a hypospray. Antitrianaline. Works wonders for the synaptically impaired. He administered it to her neck, waited a second, then grinned and asked, How do you feel, Captain?

Janeway blinked. Several figures leaned over her. When her vision cleared, she could make out the doctor with Kes standing right behind him. Tuvok was on her other side, and Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Rollins and.... A group of crewmembers surrounded her. She struggled to sit up, but felt the force field preventing any movement.

Stay calm, Captain, ordered the doctor. Do you remember what happened?

Janeway glanced around again, but this time her eyes rested on Tuvok and Chakotay. Yes, I think so, she said slowly. Then she noticed Chakotay's bloodied nose. I hit you! she exclaimed in surprise and astonishment.

Chakotay shook his head. No, not me. You hit Rollins.

Oh. I apologize, Lieutenant. I... I don't think I was quite myself.

The lieutenant sheepishly passed the event off. No problem, Captain. I've always made a good punching bag.

But then, what happened to you? she asked her first officer.

Chakotay glanced up to take in the milling crew. It's a long story, he sighed.

The doctor looked around then as well. What are you all doing? Ensign Monrow, get back on that bed. I haven't looked at your wrist yet. And all of you, move away, return to duty.

We were ordered to Sickbay, protested Ensign Maia Quinn with a pointed glance at Chakotay.

The doctor ground his teeth. Then at least get out of my way! he barked. He turned back to the captain. You'll be fine after a few hours. I want to keep you here for further observation just in case the Kazon phaser has any more surprise effects on the Human anatomy. Then he walked away to harass Ensign Monrow.

The Kazon! That's right. Janeway shut her eyes to help call up the memory. Seska escaped. She took some supplies with her, she informed her officers.

We know, Chakotay replied. She beamed off the ship. We don't know where she went, but we're working on rebuilding the transporter logs. Maybe we can find her.

Janeway groaned a sigh. I shouldn't have allowed her back on this ship. God knows what I've let the crew in for now. They're a good crew; they don't deserve this kind of intrigue.

Hindsight is always twenty twenty, Captain, Tuvok soothed.

Too bad foresight isn't as easy to come by, she replied.

The doctor appeared again, Kes at his side. He removed the restraining field now that he was sure she could remain on the diagnostic bed without help. Janeway sat up slowly and flexed her wrists. I wished you would leave my patient alone, he complained. She needs rest now, not more escapades of this horrendous crew. He stopped short and wrinkled his nose. He looked quickly around Sickbay.

What is it, Doctor? asked Kes.

What is that horrid smell?

What horrid....

The doctor looked down and spied what he was looking for. He pointed accusingly at Chakotay's boots. Your boots, Commander! That mess is hardly Starfleet protocol, if you ask me. May I inquire what fetid particles are now traversing through my Sickbay thanks to you?

The commander looked down. Oh. It's squash - uh, squoosh.

Kes looked like she was going to be ill herself. Squoosh?

He patted her shoulder and turned to go. Don't worry, Kes. I'm sure it was better the first time.

Captain Janeway looked in horrified silence at the boots, then up at the others. Everybody's eyes were trained on her face. She covered her mouth with her hand to cover the mortified groan that escaped her tight lips. I just want you to know, Commander, that I am never taking a day off again!

Chakotay laughed involuntarily, then struggled to contain it. He choked instead. We'll see, Captain, he said, then led Tuvok out of Sickbay.

Chapter 6 || Contents || Chapter 8