by Alys Landale
Paris turned to face him. “Sorry to disappoint you but I’m the awful Rune Landis as you put it.” he said in a bemused fashion. He then turned back to Janeway. “I think we should be leaving for sickbay now.” He said.
They then left the mess hall with Harry and Danag added to their group. Those in the mess hall were still in shock. The first one to finally speak was Neelix as he said the two words on everyone’s mind. “Rune Landis?”
Sargon and Seven had already entered sickbay by the time Paris came through the doors. Doc stopped what he was doing and caught himself staring at his former medical assistant.
“Mr. Paris?” he asked.
Tom was by now getting sick of this. Aria felt his patience wearing thin.
“This is Captain Landis.” she said.
Doc seemed a little surprised by this but stuffed away his surprise as best he could. Naomi on the other hand was a different story. She stood in the corner, with her mouth dropped, staring at
Tom, but she didn’t say anything.
He stole a glance at her but most of his attention was focused on Voyager’s doctor. Both he and Aria realized that he wasn’t like any of the other crewmen on the ship. The two could usually feel at least some kind of feelings flowing from a person despite how strong a shield they held. But from this man, they received nothing.
Satira then began to explain. “I have found something that you might find interesting.” she then pointed to Doc. “This is Voyager’s EMH. From what he has shown me, they have developed a holographic technology that might be of use to us.”
Rune was about to ask more about this technology but was cut off when his communicator activated. “Meylin to Landis.”
“Go ahead Meylin.” said Rune.
“Sir, we have located the Imperial freighter that evaded us a couple of days ago. It is only a couple of hours distance from here.”
Paris and his other officers’ attentions were all pricked as they heard her. “Lock onto our signals and transport us back to the ship on my signal.” Paris said.
“Aye Sir.” Meylin replied.
B’Elanna then turned to Tom. “You’re leaving already.” she asked.
He was about to reply but Janeway cut him off. “So you’re going to raid another of the Empire’s Freighters. What kind of cargo are you going to steal this time?” she didn’t know why she said it. Perhaps to anger him so that he wouldn’t leave. Maybe she still held some trust for the Empire. For whatever reason, Janeway soon forgot it when she saw his expression towards her.
Tom stared at her impassively. His face was a mask of seriousness while his eyes bred contempt. Those eyes stung Janeway’s soul more than anything she had ever seen.
He then spoke again. “You want to know what kind of cargo we’re stealing this time. Tell you what, why don’t you come with us and I’ll personally show you just what we ‘steal’ from the Empire.”
Janeway agreed. At least this meant she could keep an eye on him. “We’ll follow behind you then.”
He nodded and then raised Meylin on the communicator again. “Meylin, five to beam back.” with that he and the rest of his crew vanished in the transporter beam.
All eyes turned to Janeway. The only thing she said was. “I couldn’t just let us lose him again, could I?”
Paris reported to the bridge in a matter of seconds.
He turned to Meylin. “So what have you found.”
She put their findings on the front viewscreen. “As you can see this is the ship that we had originally pursued. It appears that its propulsion as well as shielding had been lost. There is still however, heavy shielding around our target sight so I would suggest an away team for this. Also most of the crew have already abandoned ship. Only a few guards of extremely low rank are still positioned there.”
Tom finished what she was about to say. “They initiated the self destruct.”
“Aye sir.” she said. “We have roughly two and a half hours before it detonates.”
“How long until we reach our target?”
“Two hours sir. Raken and his ship are also in the area, but it would take them even longer to get there than us.”
It took him only a second to evaluate his position. The ‘cargo’ was far to valuable to let it be destroyed. He had to risk it.
“That doesn’t give us a lot of time. Have Sargon, Satira, and Danag begin prep for an away mission. If their shields are down I want you to beam us as close to our target sight as possible. Contact Raken and tell him to meet us there as well. And hail Voyager. I’d like them to tag along so they can see just what ‘cargo’ we’re planning on stealing this time.” He said the word with contempt. He knew Janeway’s reasons for saying this but it still infuriated him. He’d let her tag along just to see how ‘friendly’ the Empire really was.
*
Kail met Takma at their rendezvous point. His ship was still in pitiful shape, but he deemed the mission partly a success. He wasn’t able to take the Jihaid or Voyager yet, but soon he would. His little surprise was already in place on the Jihaid’s hull. And with the last minute altercations to the weapon, not even Landis would have time to break through the computer virus to retake his ship. He would be too busy trying to save the rest of his crew to do that.
The point they had decided to meet at was a section of the Empire known as the Valish sector. Few ships ever ventured here due to the dangers of the highly unpredictable wormhole that produced so many irregularities in the space around it. No one had ever been able to successfully make it through the hole alive, so the sector had been abandoned. Now its only purpose was as a meeting ground for Takma.
He had just boarded her ship and was now making his way to the bridge. Once there, she ordered all the officers present to leave.
When they were gone she finally spoke. “So, I take it you delivered our little surprise to Rune.”
He nodded. “It is done. Within only an amount of hours, the cybernetic parasites will engulf his ship and make a course correction to head straight for us. Soon we’ll have both ships. The only problem is that the Pretor’s ship is in the area. If he sees the Jihaid he might follow it here.”
She threw his fears aside. “Since when did he ever put his life on the line. He knows Landis is dangerous. He wouldn’t dare risk it.”
She smiled. Nothing was going to get in her way this time. Yes, things were going very well indeed.
*
Both the Voyager and the Jihaid were now within transporting distance of their target. Voyager’s weapons were still off line however. Tom had told Janeway that as a precautionary measure they would remain that way for now. She didn’t refute his statement but just followed in his wake towards the ship. Now she, Chakotay, and B’Elanna were getting ready to transport aboard the Imperial vessel. Tom and his group were already waiting on them so they needed to hurry up. The shuttle that Paris had first come over to Voyager on was still attached to the hull as well. But with all the excitement and confusion going on now, it had all but been forgotten.
Janeway told the man at the transporter console. “Beam us down Ensign.”
Within a matter of minutes, the trio’s surroundings turned from Voyager’s transporter room to the interior of the freighter.
B’Elanna instinctively looked for Tom. He stood working in front of a console. Danag, Sargon, and Satira stood watching the corridors at the doorways. Her attention rested on Tom once more. It was so good to see her mate yet so infuriating to be denied his love as she was now. But this was Tom; she knew it. Usually one known for speaking her mind, she suddenly felt intimidated. How was she supposed to tell him that they were lovers but he didn’t remember. She thought this over as Chakotay approached Tom from behind.
Chakotay was ready to find out what was going on. He walked up to Paris. He wanted answers now.
Tom disengaged his link with the computer just as Chakotay laid a hand on the man’s shoulder. Still being in the disoriented state of his mind halfway between body an
d computer, he grabbed the phaser at his belt and taking Chakotay by the arm that had touched him, he turned around swiftly with the phaser pointed at the commander’s gut.
Chakotay was caught by surprise at Tom’s suddenness. The pilot’s eyes had a glazed look over them, but they quickly turned back to their regular state. Tom let go of the man’s arm and brought down his phaser.
He stared Chakotay in the eye. “Never come up behind me while I’m working.” and then walked away, leaving a very confused commander behind him.
Janeway and B’Elanna were equally distressed. Neither had ever seen that kind of look in Tom’s eyes before.
Danag just walked over to Chakotay. “You must be lucky. He could have ripped your arm out of its socket.” he said and then joined Paris where he stood in the doorway.
Tom turned to Danag. “We’ve got four armed guards up ahead. You think you can provide a distraction.”
Danag seemed insulted. “No problem.” Within a matter of moments his form shifted into that of a Parvanian guard’s.
B’Elanna looked up in surprise. Could this Rune be a shape shifter as well? No, she thought to herself. They can change shape but not DNA. The doctor could have told them whether or not he was a shape shifter.
Paris took charge of the group. “Alright, we have four guards armed with projectile weapons. Danag, we’re your prisoners. You go in first and take out leader of the group. Sargon and I will be right behind you to take out the others.”
The three nodded. Satira held the others back while Tom carried out his plan. There were four shots and then Paris returned.
“The guards are taken care of. Satira it’s time to work.”
The rest walked towards the large doors where Sargon now stood. He and Danag were just about to open them. Satira stood at Paris’s side as the doors opened. What assaulted them was the most vile aroma any of the Voyager crew had ever encountered.
Those who served on the Jihaid were unperturbed by the odor however and Tom just stepped through the doorway.
“This is Rune Landis.” he said. “We’ve come to get you out of here.”
B’Elanna walked inside the room. What she saw was not at all what she had expected. People lay on the floor in all positions. Some were crumpled in balls others just lay unconscious where they had fallen. A few people were actually up and walking, well limping. They went from person to person in an attempt to help the wounded. Faces turned to Rune as he entered. Satira quickly ran over to check on some of the wounded.
Janeway felt her throat constrict. The people were little more than skin and bones. It looked as if they hadn’t eaten in days.
Their eyes were sunk back in their face. Just about all had injuries that were either healing over or were still open. A man struggled to get up from the floor and walked over to Paris. He had a deep cut running down his forehead and over his eye. Paris walked over quickly to the limping man and gave him an arm for support.
“Rune Landis?” the man asked. “Thank the Spirit you came.”
Tom helped to support the man even more. “Can you tell me what happened here?” he asked.
Janeway walked over to where the two stood. The prisoner looked at her but continued. “Our ship was captured by the Empire over a week ago. Most of our crew was either killed or died shortly after they got here. We..” he faltered as he began to sway.
Tom helped to steady him and then turned to Sargon. “Sargon, take him to the transport area and get him to Raken’s ship. I want all these people out of here as soon as possible.” He handed the man over to Sargon.
Rune then addressed all those around him. “Alright, I need everyone who can walk to go with Sargon. You will be transported to one of our ships. We’ll then move all those injured to the transporter area as well.”
Some of the people began to get up. Danag helped those who were limping; others who weren’t as injured helped the more inept to move as well.
Satira was using her med kit on those unconscious on the floor. She tried to heal the most serious of the wounds before they could be transported away and then moved on to another patient. Occasionally she would scan a few of the bodies and just move on. There was no help for those. They had already found their freedom in the world beyond.
Paris stepped over to a woman lying on the floor. Her eyes were fluttering open rapidly. He put a hand on her shoulder to quiet her down.
“Shh.” he told her. “Keep still. We’re going to get you out of here.”
Her eyes turned to him. They were growing glazed with the gloss of death. He had seen others like her before. She probably had serious internal bleeding as well as a concussion from her head injury. There was little hope that she would make it, but he refused to give up hope.
She spoke in a rough whisper. “We both know I’m not going anywhere.” he coughed a couple of times. “Tell me.... one thing. My husband was on the other ship following us... did..”
He answered her question before she spoke it. “We already freed those onboard. There were a few casualties, but not many.”
She nodded. Her manner had turned to one of relief. “He’s still alive then.” she whispered to herself.
Paris didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to dash any of her hopes. He then turned the subject. “Don’t speak for now. I’ll call Satira over here.”
The woman put her hand on his arm. It was a feeble attempt which took much more strength than she could afford to lose, but it spoke volumes more than words could ever convey.
“Don’t,” she said. “There’s...nothing...she could...”
Her voice faltered on the last word. Then her hand clutched his coat sleeve tightly before it turned limp. Tom took the woman’s hand and put it over her chest. He then ran his fingers over her face to close the partially opened eyes.
He had seen sights such as this far too often, and each time they occurred, they only fueled his anger towards the Empire even more. He stood up from where he had been kneeling beside the woman. His gaze was downcast for a few moments but then turned up to meet the eyes of those staring at him.
Janeway, Chakotay, and B’Elanna had watched the entire exchange. They had never expected to see anything like this when they had come along. Blood and vomit, as well as the people who had produced it, covered almost every inch of the floor.
Tom walked past them towards Sargon who was now reentering the room. “Tell Aria to send another crew to help us get these people out of here. We need to leave as soon as possible.”
Sargon nodded and did as he was told. He had seen sights like this all throughout his life. They no longer held any effect for him.
Janeway placed a hand on Tom’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said.
He turned to face her. His eyes looked more like ice than the sky blue to which they had once been compared. A cold malice rested within those orbs. Janeway was taken aback by all the anger illustrated in them.
His face however, retained its usual mask. “So,” he said. “What do you think about our ‘stolen cargo’ now?”
Aria sat on the bridge of the Jihaid. Her mind was running so fast, she didn’t think she would ever catch up with it. She needed to concentrate on the mission. That was her first responsibility. Just keep her mind on the mission.
But she couldn’t help but think about this new woman, this B’Elanna Torres. Rune hadn’t said much regarding her, but she knew he had recognized the woman. She had seen it in his eyes. And B’Elanna had recognized him as well. Aria knew that the woman loved Rune. The two had most likely been a couple long before Aria had come along. Should she step down and let
B’Elanna have Rune?
Aria shook her head to clear it. This wouldn’t be a problem right now if she had retained her objectivity throughout her mission. She had helped to prepare Tom for his coming battle, his destiny. But she had also upset the balance of their professional relationship by taking it to another level. And now she was unable to go back.
She sighed. What was s
he going to do?
*I have to tell him the truth.* she decided. She had to tell him why she had been sent to find him in the first place. She had to tell him what his destiny was.
But first thing first. She had to take care of this mission now. Then she would approach Rune.
Raken sounded over the Comm. “Commander Brandwin, I have received the last of the prisoners. I’m taking my ship out here now before the ship detonates.”
Aria agreed. “We’ll be leaving as well. Just as soon as the captain and the others return.”
Raken let out a snort. He still held a great amount of contempt for Rune. “I’ll be waiting.” he said and then cut his signal.
Aria leaned back in her chair. *Rune hurry up.* she thought. *I have this bad feeling that something’s about to happen.*
Paris signaled those around him to get ready to transport. Everyone had transported back to the ship except for the away team. Satira had already left with one of the injured so that meant there were only six to beam back to the Jihaid.
Tom activated his communicator. “Six to beam up,” he said and all were caught in the shimmer of the transporter beam.
They appeared in the transporter room just as the Jihaid and Voyager jumped to warp. Three seconds later the Imperial freighter self destructed, leaving nothing to identify what its purpose had once been.
As the ship flew away, the once small cybernetic form on the ship had grown to cover almost the entire aft side of the vessel.
Due to its cloaking ability however, no one could pick up the device’s presence. Now there was only one more step until it had successfully taken over the ship. It had to get rid of the crew.
*
The Pretor’s Battleship loomed just outside the Valish Sector like an ominous black specter. Portus made one of his few ventures onto the bridge of his ship. He had been given word that one of his prisoner freighters had self destructed just a few minutes before. This didn’t upset him so much as the rest of the news. It seemed that there was a chance the prisoners were actually rescued and not destroyed in the explosion.
