Among Stars; Chapter 8:3 Sarassa's Sanctuary

Among Stars

Part 8

Sarassa’s Sanctuary

Chapter 3

Seven had memorised everything about the Sanctuary from the information and maps provided by Ebir. The surveillance teams had carefully mapped out the exterior of the buildings and the surrounding areas since the President’s daughter was recruited by members of the Sanctuary. Sensors had provided the teams with a layout of the interior wherever the protective grid did not disrupt the scans. Moving quietly through the corridors she was grateful for her eidetic memory.

Using her night vision she stealthily walked towards the north corridor.

The urges derived from the agent in her system attacked her senses more frequently now. The only thing that helped to maintain her focus was thoughts of Kathryn; on her lover’s last words to her before she and Tuvok beamed down. "You can do this, Seven, I know you can. I’m so proud of you. Be careful and return to me."

Seven continued to make her way down two long corridors. Her first goal was to search Third Speaker Dajana’s office.

She reached the north corridor, inaudibly hurrying in the direction of the double door at the far end.

Once she reached her destination she stopped outside the direction of Dajana’s office. She paused to ensure that no one was in the vicinity.

All was quiet. There were no others in sight.

Using her Borg enhanced hearing she concluded that the room was empty. Carefully she tried the door. It was unlocked; she opened it and slipped inside.

The room held the same clean, impersonal ambience as all the other rooms she had visited in the building. A large desk made of wood dominated the room. Narrow cabinets with glass doors covered two of the walls.

She saw a small couch and knew that this was where Dajana had left Atahlia to recuperate after giving the girl what the speaker had claimed was some sort of herbal tea.

Seven walked along the walls covered with bookshelves and scanned the titles one by one. When she reached the large shelf behind Dajana’s desk and she noted that its contents were locked behind glass doors, she stopped.

Peeking through the glass she saw long rows of books and pamphlets. She realised that some of the items were the same as the ones that the young girl had accidentally dropped on the floor in the hallway earlier. Without hesitation she allowed her assimilation tubules to enter the lock and disengage it.

Opening the door she browsed through one of the shelves.

A colourful brochure caught her eyes and she pulled it out. Looking through it she saw that this was the same brochure that she had received on the sightseeing tour she had taken through the capital on one of her earlier visits to the planet.

She calibrated her ocular implant and scanned the pages.

At first she did not observe anything unusual. There was nothing remarkable about the pamphlet. It simply laid out some of the teachings and beliefs that the community lived by.

She closed it and took a closer look at the cover boasting a picture of a famous tower in the capital.

Scrutinising what appeared to be a slight distortion along the seam of the brochure, she discovered something that made her inhale. Quickly adjusting her Borg vision to microscopic setting she confirmed her suspicions.

Reaching inside her biosuit she switched on the inactive smaller version of a comm badge that was pinned there. She tapped it quickly.

"Seven to Tuvok," she murmured.

"Tuvok here. Go ahead," Tuvok replied instantly.

"I believe I have located the item we have been looking for," Seven reported as she placed the brochure on the desk beside her. Reaching into her bio suit again she extracted a small transmitting device and attached it to the brochure with careful fingers.

"Lock onto the transmitting device and relay it to sickbay."

"Understood.How much time do you require to complete your mission?"

"I will await the Doctor’s confirmation if this is indeed …"

Suddenly the lights switched on.

"Seven of Nine," a soft voice said from the doorway. "I have to admit that I am terribly disappointed."

"Now, Tuvok!" Seven urged.

Speaker Dajana and two of her subordinates quickly moved towards the desk but could only watch in dismay as the objects shimmered and disappeared.

"My child, what have you done?" Dajana said, her voice still soft but her eyes betraying a well-controlled cold fury. "You have no idea how your actions have hurt our community."

"Perhaps not but I do understand how your actions have hurt my crewmembers," replied Seven as a sudden wave of dizziness took a hold of her.

The hunger for compliance hit her like a tidal wave.

"We have done no such thing," the older woman replied evenly. "We will see this situation through and no doubt your crewmembers will join us as planned."

"You will not succeed. You will fail," Seven replied as she tried to fight the effects of the agent.

Reaching for the edge of the desk she tried to steady herself but the onslaught on her systems was overwhelming.

"Your efforts are futile, Seven. Even now you crave to give in, to surrender your will. How long do you think you can resist? I worry about you, my child. I see the toll this is taking on you," Dajana said as she moved slowly towards Seven.

"Do not come any further," Seven replied as she tried to regain her focus but her systems were beginning to fail and she felt her strength, both physically and mentally, begin to drain.

"Seven, let us help you," the Speaker murmured. Motioning with her head towards Seven she signalled her subordinates move in slowly on the blonde.

"I … I wish to belong"

"Of course you do, my dear."

"This is … difficult."

"Trust me, Seven. Trust your feelings. Surrender yourself to Sarassa."

Seven began to fall forward. Holding on to the desk with every ounce of her strength she felt her knees begin to buckle as she sank to the floor.

"There, there, my child. Let us help you."

Seven tried to grasp what the other woman was saying. Everything around her was becoming blurred. She could no longer see. Her entire system was shutting down as she collapsed into a state of unconsciousness.

*****

The Speakers moved in quickly. The young blond lay motionless on the floor.

"Is she dead?" one of the subordinates asked.

"No, but her condition appears to be critical," Dajana replied. "Go. Get the physician at once.

"Yes, Speaker."

Speaker Dajana took Seven into her arms and searched the Borg’s face. The sheer beauty of the younger woman was stunning even when she was so pale and with dark circles under her eyes.

"I don’t know how you’ve fought this so successfully," Dajana said her voice slow and thoughtful, "I surmise that your cybernetic implants had something to do with it. Let’s hope your cleverness has not cost you your life."

"What are we to do with her?" asked the remaining subordinate.

"I want Doctor Par to assess her condition. We have already made enough mistakes. I do not wish to add to them. I will personally deal with the individual in charge of her recruitment. I realise that she is not indigenous to this planet but this type of reaction should have been anticipated."

"Has her actions endangered us?’

"No, she may have caused us some minor inconvenience but that’s all. It’s our own fault. We have let our pride blind us. This was a test and we failed it. We shall learn from our mistakes and will not fail Sarassa in this way again."

Just then the doctor entered the room with one of his assistants and the young Speaker that had been sent to fetch him. After a quick examination he turned to Dajana.

"The prognosis is not good. Her readings are off the chart. Any other initiate would be dead by now."

"Any other initiate would have submitted! What do you suggest?"

"Move her to the infirmary in the bunker. There she’ll be secure and out of transporter reach. I will begin administering antidote but it may be too late."

Speaker Dajana motioned to the others who lifted Seven into their arms.

"Do what you can to save her."

"Of course, Speaker."

The members carried the unconscious woman from the office as Dajana stood watching.

"It’s such a pity, Seven of Nine. I’m sure you would have become a true asset to us. Now, all rest in the hands of Sarassa."

*****

"Report," Janeway barked as she leaned over the computer screen.

She was in engineering informing B’Elanna Torres of the latest development in sickbay when Tuvok hailed her with the news of Seven’s find.

"I tried to lock on to Seven as soon as I realized what was taking place at the Sanctuary," Tuvok informed her. "I regret that we cannot detect her comm badge or her bio signature."

"What happened?" Janeway demanded.

"Seven was in the process of transporting an item she believed to be the agent when she was discovered."

"Were you able to recover the item?"

"Yes. On Seven’s command we successfully relayed it to the Doctor but when we tried to transport her, we were unsuccessful."

"Why?" insisted the captain.

"We assume when she was apprehended that she was taken to a secure area behind some type of protective screen."

Janeway leaned over the computer console on both hands.

"This was not supposed to happen," she said, fighting to remain composed. "How could they have moved her out of our reach so quickly?"

"It is highly probable that she is still within the compound. There are other explanations that we must look at as well. Seven may have succumbed to the agent or may have been rendered unconscious."

"Or she may have been killed," Janeway said in a stone cold tone of voice.

"It is a possibility, however; I believe it is too early to come to such a conclusion. We will continue to monitor the compound. Perhaps the actions of its inhabitants will lead us to discover what has happened to Seven or her whereabouts."

"Ensure nobody leaves the Sanctuary without being apprehended."

"Understood."

"Are the local authorities in place and ready to move in?"

"Yes. They are standing by and are prepared to act."

"They’ve agreed to openly take action against the Sanctuary?"

"Yes, Captain," Tuvok said. "The Minister of Justice has officially authorised Mr Noro, Mr Ebir and myself to take any action we deem necessary to apprehend the leaders of the Sanctuary. Additional forces are moving into place as well."

"What made them change there mind?"

"The authorities were informed immediately by Mr Noro of the recent developments. I believe Seven’s success in obtaining the alleged agent, her disappearance, and the present condition of our crew members influenced their decision."

"I’m glad to hear that. It certainly took them long enough to come around. Tuvok, now that they are prepared to act I don’t want them to do so blindly. Do you understand my point?"

"The authorities have heeded our warning and will not act prematurely."

"Good. This has taken an ugly turn and time is running out. I want to see what the doctor has discovered before we make an assault to seize the Sanctuary and rescue Seven. I’m on my way to sickbay now. I’ll notify you as soon as we have something to report.

"Yes, Captain. Tuvok out."

Turning to B’Elanna, Janeway stated, "You’re with me. I want us both to assist the Doctor in examining whatever Seven extracted from the Sanctuary."

"Yes, ma’am."

Janeway then hailed the bridge. "Janeway to the bridge."

"Chakotay here. Go ahead, Captain."

"Take Voyager into low orbit."

"Yes, Captain."

"Harry, I want you to scan for Seven. Use whatever ship’s resources to boost the signal. Find her."

"Aye, Captain."

"Has something gone wrong?" Chakotay asked.

Janeway closed her eyes briefly.

"Seven was discovered while recovering evidence. She was able to link with Tuvok briefly and transport the item to sickbay but Tuvok has lost contact with her. Any luck, Harry?"

"No, ma’am. I’m not picking up her bio signs at all."

"Harry, is there any chance she could have been beamed to another location or off planet without us being aware of it?"

"Negative, Captain. I’ve already anticipated that as a possible course of action and have monitored for transporter activity. There’s been none," the young ensign at ops replied smartly.

"Good work, Harry, continue scanning," she said.

"Yes, Captain."

"Chakotay, B’Elanna and I will be in sickbay."

"Understood. Bridge out."

The captain motioned towards B’Elanna who had stood in silence, listening to the exchanges of information over the comm system.

"Let’s go."

B’Elanna handed over engineering to Lt Carrey and then the two women entered the turbo lift. As the doors closed Janeway folded her arms around herself, suddenly feeling very cold. This had turned into a nightmare. ‘She could be dead,’ a small voice whispered inside of her.

Janeway moaned and bit her lip.

No. She refused to believe it. Surely she would sense it if she had lost the love of her life. Somewhere within that place Seven was waiting for her; depending on her to bring her home.

"Hold on Seven," the captain whispered inaudibly. "Just hold on."

*****

The Doctor cautiously put the brochure under the microscope. Adjusting the controls he examined the surface of the cover.

"Amazing," he murmured and punched in further commands. "Ingenious."

"What?" B’Elanna Torres, Voyager’s chief engineer said with obvious impatience. "Don’t just stand there and mutter. What is it?"

"It’s a cleverly engineered … well, I guess you could say injection device. It is very small, barely detectable actually, and certainly not visible to the human eye. That would explain how the Sanctuary managed to select and infect anyone they wanted to assimilate."

"Explain," Janeway demanded and leaned forward to look into the microscope.

"The cover is much thicker than the rest of the pages in this pamphlet," the Doctor explained enthusiastically. "The front holds a grid of microscopic tubes, all leading to very small needles, each about 0.05 millimetre in length and very sharp. They are great in number and only make the surface seem textured to the touch. Once the individual comes in contact with them the agent is injected completely into the skin, from there it is absorbed into the body. Nothing remains in the tubes. This prevents anyone else from accidentally becoming infected. The Sanctuary only gets the individual they are after."

The captain frowned.

"Did you get a sample of the agent or was the brochure empty?"

"We’re in luck," the Doctor said his voice serious. "It was unused. I have secured the substance and the computer is running a full analysis as we speak."

"Have you ever come across anything like it?" B’Elanna asked.

"Historically similar devices have been used in the past although I find the engineering of this injector quite unique," replied the Doctor. "Take a look at it yourself."

B’Elanna moved towards the microscope and examined the brochure.

"I see what you mean. Pretty devious if you ask me."

"I agree," replied Janeway, but I haven’t found a precedent for anything like this in any of the files I have downloaded on Dagarian history."

"Is it possible that this isn’t Dagarian technology at all? Are we dealing with someone or something else here?"

Janeway looked at B’Elanna.

"Maybe," Janeway said in a pensive voice. "The Dagarians are a gentle, hospitable people. Of course they have a criminal element and their share of problems. You’ve seen their technology B’Elanna. What’s your opinion? Is it beyond their ability to develop?"

"It’s not beyond their abilities but I think we need to do some further analysis. I’d like to break its components down to the molecular level; see if there are any indicators that this was produced or developed somewhere else than on Dagar."

The Doctor returned frowning with a data pad in his hands.

"Here are the initial readings from the analysis on the agent," the Doctor interrupted. "I seem to have been on to something. The analysis suggests that it is possible to construct an antidote but I’ll need more time study it."

"Time is the one thing we’re fresh out of, Doctor," Janeway said, tapping her fingers on the work console.

"I’m well aware of our situation, Captain, but I can’t do this any faster. The good news is that an antidote is attainable."

"If that’s true then there is a chance that the Sanctuary has some in their possession."

"I think that it is a strong possibility. Didn’t you tell me that the President mentioned that his daughter was languishing when she was initially removed from the sanctuary?"

"Yes, I did."

"And his daughter’s condition improved once she returned correct?"

Janeway recalled the conversation with the President.

This situation was not hopeless. There was a solution. She willed the muscles in her shoulders to relax, trying to forestall a threatening headache.

"Captain," B’Elanna said as she reached out and touched the other woman to get her attention. "Why don’t you let the Doctor and I pursue it from this end while you go kick some ass."

Of course it made sense to let them do their job.

"I’m headed back to the bridge," Janeway said, rounding the work console. "Keep me posted."

*****

The unforgiving light stung her eyes.

Seven lay on a cot in an otherwise unfurnished narrow little room, trying to fight here way back from unconsciousness.

The urges to give in to the effects of the drug in her system came and went.

Where was she? What had happen? How long had she been unconscious?

Slowly memories began to drift back.

She was on Dagar. On a mission, yes, that was correct. She was on a mission. Why was she sent on this mission? Why was it so hard to remember?

She remembered … Kathryn.

‘You can do this, Seven, I know you can. I’m so proud of you. Be careful and return to me.’

What was it Kathryn wanted her to do?

What was wrong with her memory?

The agent!

That was why she could not remember. That was what why she was here. She had to find the agent.

"I found the agent," she whispered to herself. Closing her eyes she began to recall the scene in Dajana’s office.

Yes, she had found what she had been looking for and in the process she had been discovered.

She realised that the Tuvok must have informed Janeway by now on what had occurred. Her only consolation was knowing that she had accomplished what she had set out to do. With the agent in their possession the Doctor should be able to find an antidote to reverse its effects.

She had no recollection of what transpired after Dajana and the others had discovered her.

Slowly she struggled to sit up after a few moments she succeeded.

Seven sat huddled with her arms around her knees, closing her eyes against the cruel light.

She tried focusing her thoughts of Kathryn, knowing that her beloved probably feared the worst by now but even that seemed difficult.

In her present state it was impossible to calculate how long she had been unconscious or how she had come to be in this white sterile room with its harsh lights. There was no sign of her captors. No indication that they had been in the room or were ever coming back.

She tried to listen. Perhaps she could hear something?

Silence.

The blonde sighed.

She knew Kathryn was resourceful and inventive when it came to rescue operations as well as problem solving. The charismatic captain never gave up and had on more than one occasion gone after perpetrators who had tried to capture Seven, including the Borg Queen herself.

Nausea and vertigo suddenly hit and Seven’s head rolled back. She fell to her right and ended up on the floor in a foetal position, softly whimpering when the desire to just surrender surged through her.

She fought it with everything she had. Her cortical implant registered the intrusion into her brain and launched the nano probes. Unnecessary systems shut down to allow power to her cortical implant, temporarily making her blind on her right eye and deaf on both ears.

The attack left her unable to think; unable to concentrate. Only the longing for perfection, that basic desire that had been ingrained in her as a member of the Collective, remained present.

It beckoned her, pulled her in and seduced her.

Knowing that the agent was responsible for this desire that overwhelmed her did not help. It was irrelevant. The desire was simply too strong. Nothing else mattered.

The nanoprobes continued to slowly do their job.

Each attack was harsher then the last.

There would be a time, not far in the distant future, where the nanoprobes would fail. When that happened it was likely that her cortical implant would fail completely and death would follow.

Time passed. The effects of the attack began to subside again.

Slowly she dragged herself to the nearest wall. After several attempts she struggled into a sitting position and rested her body against the wall.

Once again she closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing.

Apathy generally followed an attack. Where only moments earlier all she could desire was perfection, now the desire was replaced with an emptiness, a lack of caring.

Moments went by and strength began to seep back into her body and into her mind.

She was able to open her eyes once again but could barely see.

Her hearing returned gradually.

Now she attempted to stay alert.

She tried to use the love and the loyalty she felt for the people on Voyager as a way to focus her thoughts and found it soothing. In her mind she began to picture her beloved, her Kathryn and that too had a comforting effect.

In a moment of complete clarity she remembered communication device hidden within her bio suit. She tried to activate it over but to no avail. Now she pulled it out and regarded it closely with her ocular implant. Her hearing had returned but not her human eyesight.

Turning it over, she removed the faceplate. Inside, the delicate circuitry glimmered in the bright light. Searching her eidetic memory, the young woman let her assimilation tubules enter the communication device. Rewiring the circuitry and reprogramming the small computer chip she allowed herself a faint smile. There were no guaranties that this would work but at least she was doing something.

She put the faceplate back and listened for any sounds betraying that she might have company. When there was nothing but the humming of the ceiling lights she tapped the comm badge.

"Seven of Nine to Voyager."

The sound of static was not encouraging. She tried again.

"Seven of Nine to Voyager. Respond."

The static lessened but there still was no reply.

She tried over and over. Tapping the comm badge, she heard the familiar chirp when it tried to connect to Voyager’s comm system and then nothing.

The vertigo overwhelmed her again and she huddled with the comm badge clutched in her hand. She could picture Kathryn’s beloved face and it was as if the older woman was right there in the room with her, watching her with even blue-grey eyes.

"Seven of … Nine to Voyager. Come in … respond … do you acknowledge?" Seven murmured feverishly.

"Seven to Captain Janeway."

"Kathryn … "

The blonde let herself fall to the side. Pulling her knees up she tried to fight the nausea.

The attack on her brain was stronger than before and in some clear corner of her mind she realised that her systems were becoming depleted. The nano probes were fighting a losing battle against the agent.

"This … agent … would be an excellent method to fight the Borg," she murmured. "Had you known then, Kathryn, four years ago, that there was such a drug … would you have used it?"

She clutched the comm badge in her human hand.

"It is my hope that the item I transported to you was indeed the agent that you have successfully discovered an antidote. If this is so, then my mission was a success but I am afraid that I failed you Kathryn," she said her voice breaking. "I have irreparably damaged my systems. My cortical node has begun to fail. It is only a matter of time before I expire."

Seven took a deep breath and held it as another wave of nausea washed over her. She had no idea if Kathryn was receiving her transmission but she continued anyway.

"I never wanted it to end this way but no matter what happens you must know that it was worth the risk. You, Voyager and all its crew are my family, my collective. I … I miss you …"

The wary feelings of loss mixed with the urge to remain where she was. The longing to learn and serve the Sanctuary was strong.

Seven whispered. "I want to know, to finally recognise, what perfection is. Perhaps in death I will find it."

A sensation that was not pain but strong and forceful enough for her to double over, caused her body to convulse.

"Kathryn," she gushed. "I am so cold. The room is so bright yet I can not see. I wish you were here beside me to keep me warm. I wish…"

Tears began to flow from her human eye while she held the comm badge tight in her hand whispering her final message.

"Kathryn, can you hear me?"

Seven listened but there was no reply. She ignored the silence and continued.

"My only regret is that I leave you without telling you how much you have meant to me and how much I love you."

"Oh…" She was trembling now and knew that her cortical implant was malfunctioning in a way that nobody could have expected.

"Kathryn? Kathryn?" she moaned, her eyes glazed over, staring into the blinding light without seeing anything. "I love you. I …"

*****

Voyager’s captain stood on the bridge with tears welling up in her eyes.

Harry had summoned Janeway to the bridge when Seven’s hail came in. The compact woman had come out of her office and remained standing its centre, trying to respond to the increasingly distraught young woman. They had not dared transfer the communication into the ready room from fear of losing it again.

Not looking at anyone she listened to the heartbreaking words of the woman she loved. Harry had tried to clear the signal, to let Seven know they could hear her but to no avail. The attempt to lock on to her signal and beam her back was equally unsuccessful.

Harry had lowered his gaze to his work console, apparently not wanting to look at his captain as she listened to Seven’s voice.

They could all hear the moment the agent began to influence the young woman. Her voice became dreamy, her words slurred and the anxiety was obvious.

The captain folded her arms in front of her while listening. Tears began to run down her pale cheeks.

"Kathryn I am so cold. The room is so bright yet I can not see. I wish you were here beside me to keep me warm. I wish …Kathryn, can you hear me? My only regret is that I leave you without telling you how much you have meant to me and how much I love you."

Seven whispered through the comm system.

"Seven? Seven, please come in. I hear you, Seven. Please, hold on," Janeway pleaded, turning to Chakotay, unfolding her hands in a helpless gesture.

The dark haired next in command rose from his chair and walked up to his captain.

"Seven, do you read us?" he tried, his voice tinged with worry. "Let us know if you hear us."

"Oh …" There was apparent pain in the alto voice.

Janeway flinched and put a hand over her mouth.

"Where is she? Where are they holding her?" she growled quietly. "Damn it, where is she?"

Harry looked at his console, wracking his brain to find a way to get through to Seven.

There was a brief silence and the former Borg’s trembling voice returned.

"Kathryn? Kathryn?" she moaned. "I love you. I…"

The fragile comm link broke. No matter how Harry tried, it was impossible to pick up on it again.

The silence on the bridge was ear deafening.

A quick inhale from Janeway made them all flinch.

"No," she hissed. "No, Seven, this is not it. This is not goodbye." Pivoting, she nailed Harry with her icy grey glance as she furiously wiped her cheeks. "Hail Tuvok. I want an update now. Trace the signal. If Seven could hail us, we can trace the signal."

Janeway walked towards her ready room while tapping her comm badge.

"Janeway to sickbay. B’Elanna, Doctor, report. We’re running out of time."

"The antidote is almost ready, Captain," the Doctor said. "We were just about to hail you. We’re running the last simulation now but it is just a precaution. We will administer it to the affected crewmembers immediately."

"Keep me updated on their condition. B’Elanna, get as much of the antidote as you can to Tuvok and then proceed to replicate more."

"Yes, Captain."

"I’ve reached Commander Tuvok," Harry reported from ops.

"Patch him through to my ready room. Let me know as soon as you have traced the signal, Harry. You have the bridge, Commander," she told Chakotay.

"Aye, Captain."

Janeway walked into her ready room and sat down at her desk, focusing on her computer screen. Tuvok’s bland face showed traces of worry, perhaps only detectable to her for knowing him so well.

"Report," she said in a low voice.

"We have positioned our forces and secured the perimeter. No one will be able to pass through our security without being apprehended. Additionally, we have secured the airspace above the Sanctuary. Unauthorised transports will be halted using local technology."

"That takes care of the areas above the ground, what about below? You’ve already mentioned the possibility that they have structures below the ground that are sensor can’t penetrate. Could they escape through tunnels?" Janeway asked.

"It is highly likely that they will attempt such an escape but we have planned for the contingency as well," her tactical chief replied. "The Dagarian have established both an inner and outer perimeter. We believe that they will attempt to extract Seven this way. It is my belief that they are holding Seven in one of those rooms below the surface. If they discover that we are about to move in on the Sanctuary, they will no doubt want to prevent her from being discovered. Their only recourse will be to attempt an escape underground. ."

"She hailed us, Tuvok," Voyager’s captain said, trying to keep the pain out of her voice. "The agent has taken a terrible toll on her. Somehow she managed to boost her comm badge. Harry is trying to trace it as we speak. Tuvok … she’s dying ..."

Tuvok raised his eyebrows at the news.

"Then we must hurry. It would be most useful if Mr Kim would be able to pinpoint her location," he stated. "Apparently the bunkers under the building are thought to be quite extensive."

"Damn." Janeway rubbed her temple. "I’ll have Harry report to you as soon as he finds out."

"Very good, Captain."

"The Doctor tells me that the antidote is ready to be replicated. B’Elanna will transport the first hyposprays to you soon. Once you have them move in."

"Understood," Tuvok replied

"Find her, Tuvok," she found herself say, her voice almost betraying her. "Get into that compound and find her."

"I will locate Seven of Nine personally," Tuvok vowed.

"Thank you, my friend."

"Tuvok out."

Janeway looked at the Starfleet insignia on the computer screen. Seven’s feverish words came back to her. "This … agent … would be an excellent method to fight the Borg. Had you known then, Kathryn, four years ago, that there was such a drug … would you have used it?"

She honestly did not know. She had hated the Borg for a long time, mostly for what they had done to Seven and countless millions of individuals throughout the galaxy.

Would she have launched a virus or an agent such as this against the Collective, against anyone?

Perhaps.

She squared her shoulders. Now was not the time for philosophical musings. They had a rescue operation to carry out.

*****

The Dagarian federal forces were positioned around Sarassa’s Sanctuary, close enough to be able to monitor the compound but at a secure distance to avoid detection.

Vehicles were blocking all exits and Tuvok was standing behind the one in closest proximity to the building with Ebir and Noro. A soft tingle and a shimmer of green alerted them to a transport taking place near them.

Voyager’s captain accompanied by her chief engineer and her chief medical officer rematerialised on the lawn just behind the largest of the vehicles.

Janeway spotted Tuvok and approached them.

Tuvok raised his eyebrows as the only sign of his disapproval. Janeway knew what he was thinking. She half agreed. She was too emotionally involved but that did not matter. She needed to be there when they found Seven.

Brief introductions were made and then the auburn haired woman spoke quickly.

"What’s our status, Tuvok?"

"We are ready to initiate action. I have already distributed medical tricorders and hyposprays. I assume you have brought the antidote with you."

"That is correct."

"Then we’ll begin its distribution to our forces immediately," replied Mr Ebir.

"Captain, may I introduce you to Mr Ebir? He is the on scene commander."

Janeway nodded to the tall man next to Tuvok.

"Mr Ebir, I appreciate the way you and your agents have co-operated with my crew."

"It is we who are indebted to you, Captain," Ebir answered politely. "We are prepared to initiate actions and begin our assault. All that remains is for you to give us the final go ahead as originally planned. Our authorities have already given their approval but instructed me to await yours."

"You’ve got it. As soon as your forces have the antidote you can commence operations."

"Thank you, Captain."

It took several minutes for B’Elanna and the Doctor to distribute the antidote to the Dagarians forces. The Dargarian medics listened intently to their instructions, loaded the hyposprays and returned to their positions around the perimeter.

The Doctor returned to Janeway and the men standing next to her, shortly followed by B’Elanna.

"Captain, the Dagarians have the antidote and have been instructed on its use and expected side effects," the EMH said.

"Good. B’Elanna, come with me. Doctor, you’re with Tuvok. Our prime objective is to locate Seven and give her the antidote. We’ll also scan members of the Sanctuary we encounter and administer the cure if they are affected."

The others nodded and Ebir signalled to his agents to commence operations.

*****

A total of forty special agents and twenty federal police officers and medical first responders had circled the Sanctuary.

Special agents began to move now in now between the tall trees and along the paths leading up to the house. They were all dressed in black and stealthily closed in on the guards patrolling the area and the ones standing just inside the doors.

Quickly and efficiently the guards were apprehended and securely removed from their posts. The federal police took them into custody and secured them in the large vehicles parked at the outer perimeter.

Janeway and B’Elanna entered through the main entrance. Looking around Janeway saw a naked hallway, only white screens and white drapes decorating the light wooden walls.

"Very suggestive," B’Elanna whispered. "Find a way to keep people’s mind off their surroundings by making it as serene as possible - then fill their bodies with drugs and their heads with thoughts like how you can’t survive or find happiness outside this damn Sanctuary. The bastards!"

Janeway glanced at her chief engineer. She knew that B’Elanna and Seven had not become friends until recently. The burning anger in the other woman’s eyes was proof that they were indeed much closer now.

"Don’t worry," she heard herself reassure the Klingon, "we’ll find her."

"I know."

"Tuvok’s theory suggests that they had moved her under ground since neither her Borg signature nor her bio readings show up on sensors. Let’s look for an elevator or turbo lift."

They began moving slowly along the south corridor with two of Ebir’s agents following covering their backs. Cautiously opening the doors they quickly scanned the rooms. Some rooms appeared to be conference rooms, others resembled classrooms.

Janeway scanned the fourth room to the right and froze.

"I have three life signs in here, all Dagarian," she said. Behind her B’Elanna pulled out her phaser. The Dagarian agents took their places next to the door and on Janeway’s signal they flung the door open.

They directed their flashlights on the three people in the room, blinding the women that quickly sat up in their beds.

"Don’t move," the agents cautioned. "Stay right where you are."

Janeway approached the woman closest to them and scanned her with the medical tricorder. The scan showed that there were high levels of the transmitter substance present in her system.

"Keep still," the captain ordered as she pulled out the hypo spray. She pressed it against the girl’s neck, not caring that the other woman flinched and tried to avoid it. There was a soft hiss of the spray entering the woman’s bloodstream and then Janeway moved to the next bed. She saw B’Elanna approach the third girl.

She let her flashlight flicker over the next woman. Janeway inhaled sharply. The young girl regarded her with open hostility and clenched fists but the captain recognised the dark hair and the narrow features immediately.

"Hello, Atahlia," she said softly. "It’s good to see you."

"How do you know my name and what is going on here?" the girl hissed. "Where’s Speaker Dajana?"

"I’m certain she is being taken care of as we speak," Janeway said, her voice calm as she pressed the hypo spray against Atahlia’s neck. This is an official search and rescue operation instigated by the Dagarian authorities and …"

"My father!" Atahlia exclaimed as the antidote began to surge through her veins. "He just won’t quit … he … he always …"

The Doctor had assured Janeway that the antidote’s effects were instantaneous, just as the agent that infected its victims. The cure did not only eliminate the effects of the original drug but also would serve as a vaccine for any future attempts to infect the individual again. As for the long-term effects on the brain, the Doctor was unsure of the outcome if the individual had been a Servant for several years.

The captain now watched as a transformation of unbelievable proportions took place before her eyes. The Doctor had described the reactions of the affected members among Voyager’s crew. The President’s daughter had been under the influence of the drug for a longer period of time. Perhaps that was why the outcome was so much stronger.

Atahlia shivered, she seemed to choke on her words as the antidote reached her brain and began to neutralise the transmitter substances that had ruled her way of thinking for several years. She fell forward in her bed, gasping for air.

"What … is going on?" she gasped. "What is happening … to me?"

Janeway tucked away the hypo spray and scanned Atahlia again. It registered the quick deterioration of the agent. The older woman carefully held the shivering girl by her shoulders, helping her to sit up.

"It’s all right, Atahlia," she said, not even flinching when the other woman dug her fingers into her arms.

"Why are you doing this?" Atahlia managed to say through cluttering teeth. "What was it you gave me? Poison?"

"On the contrary, we’re giving you your life back."

She controlled her impatience to find Seven and tried to calm the distraught girl who now slowly relaxed and then slumped back into the bed.

"That’s it, you’ll feel better soon." Janeway turned to the men behind her. "She needs medical attention. Transport her to the hospital and notify the President that we’ve found his daughter."

The agent closest to her looked surprised.

"The President’s daughter?" He grabbed his communication device and rattled orders into it.

"She’s not the only one that needs a doctor," B’Elanna stated from the other side of the room. She had rolled the woman in the bed closest to the window onto her side and was now monitoring her vital signs. "It appears that some of them get violently ill."

"How’s the third girl doing?" Janeway asked, turning around to look at the first young woman they had injected. To her relief she was sitting up in her bed, looking pale but not as affected as the other two. "How are you feeling?"

"I’m doing all right," the young woman said. "I … I don’t know what you just gave us but ... I’m not sure what to think yet but I …" She broke off and rubbed her forehead. "I think I want to go home."

"You’ll be able to go home soon," Janeway assured her, "just as soon as you have been cleared by medical professionals. In the meantime we need your help. We need to know where we can access the underground floors of this structure."

The girl shook her head.

"I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t know. I mean I know they exist, but I don’t know where the elevator is. It is … has been … very hush-hush here. I haven’t been here long enough for that level of classified information."

Janeway bit back a frustrated retort.

"I … can tell you."

The sound of a weak and husky voice from behind her made her pivot. Atahlia had risen on her right elbow and was reaching for Voyager’s captain with a trembling hand. Janeway took it and knelt next to the bed.

"Where is it?" she asked, her voice soft.

"Take the north corridor. Two doors before you reach the Speaker’s office there is a small conference room. The panel operating the elevator is located just behind a painting … of an ocean … I don’t know the code …"

"We’ll figure it out, Atahlia," Janeway said and began to rise.

"Have you come for her? She’s … down there …"

Janeway quickly sank down next to the bed again.

"What are you talking about?"

"The alien girl. The blonde with the cybernetic … oh …" Swallowing against obvious nausea Atahlia paled. "You and your companion are also aliens. I thought …"

"You were right. We’ve come for her. Do you know which floor they’ve taken her?"

"No, but I know there are small cells belonging to the underground infirmary on the third level."

"Thank you, Atahlia," Janeway said and turned around. "Get these women out of here. B’Elanna, you and I will team up with Tuvok and the Doctor in the north corridor and locate the elevator."

B’Elanna rose after making sure the girl she had attended to was all right.

"Let’s go, Captain."

*****

Seven slowly opened her eyes.

There had been a new, abrupt noise in the room.

Squinting towards the white lights she tried in vain to focus.

Excruciating pain surged through her from lying on the floor for so long. She was not sure what had alerted her senses. All of a sudden she knew she was not alone in the small room.

She tried to roll onto her back but only managed to turn her head. Dizziness came in waves and her neck hurt when she tried to glance around.

"Is anyone there?" Seven asked huskily, her voice hardly audible. "Reveal yourself."

"You are to blame for this."

The throaty, deep voice was cold and indifferent, seeming to float somewhere above her.

"Who … are you?" the blonde asked. "My eyes … My vision is … impaired …"

"I will find out who drafted you and hold them responsible," the hard voice said, not bothering to reply to Seven’s question. "It was an obvious mistake although I can see why they would think you’d make an asset to the Sanctuary."

Seven felt herself tremble without being able to stop as she managed to slowly roll over on her back, seeing the outlines of an individual hovering above her. The bright light was behind the stranger, casting shadows on their face and making it impossible to identify.

"I do not … understand," she managed.

"They are invading the Sanctuary and searching it as we speak," the stranger said. "It is all your doing!"

Something hard hit Seven in the ribs, making the ex-Borg gasp in shock and try to move away. She gazed up at the glowing outline of a head that seemed to float in mid air above her.

She raised an unsteady hand, trying to reach the person.

"Don’t move," the sonorous voice snapped. "I know all about your cybernetic implants, of your enhanced senses which probably also includes increased physical strength. I guess they are not much help to you now."

Seven began to speak but her lungs seemed to cave in and make her cough. It was as if someone had set her intestines ablaze.

"I … did what I had to do … to save … them all …" she managed before a new coughing attack sent her body into spasms. "So much pain …"

"It is the potion," the voice said as the person in the room with her moved out of sight. "The harder the body fights its effects - the stronger the pain. Now, get on your feet!"

Something cold, perhaps a weapon of some kind, poked her abdomen, making her flinch. Trembling Seven tried to move in an attempt to get to her feet. She made it up on her elbow and then fell back onto the floor, couching hard. This time a wheezing sound remained when the couching stopped.

She struggled to turn her head, trying to look at the individual next to her. All she could make out was a green tinted shadow. Only one thing was close enough for her to make out, The person was directing a disrupter rifle towards her.

"This is not necessary," the ex-Borg said, her voice weak. "I pose no threat to you ... I ... I want to know ... to finally learn about …"

"You fool," the woman snared, impatience entering her voice as she seemed to become more agitated. "Don’t you get it? It’s just the potion speaking. Now, get up!"

There was a sharp pain in her midsection again when the person poked her with the weapon once more. Seven tried again but to no avail. Slowly she managed to use her left arm to drag herself a few inches towards the door that was now open towards the corridor.

"I … I can not …" Knowing that she would not be able to move any further, no matter how much she wanted to leave room with the unmerciful lights. "I am too weak. I cannot join you in your escape … I require medical … attention …"

Another attack of pain and nausea had her gulping for air. Moaning she folded her arms around her waist as if to hold the pain at bay, feeling as if her cybernetic implants were freeing themselves from her body. She could not remember ever experiencing such pain.

"You will do as I say. You’re my ticket out of here. Get up. Get up I say!"

Darkness began to descend on Seven once again.

If only Speaker Dajana would come. She would inform this individual that there was no need for this hostility. Seven was ready to be a member of their community but it would be too late.

She would be dead soon.

*****

Third Speaker Dajana stood surrounded by three Dagarian agents, her hands cuffed behind her back. Her narrow eyes glared at Janeway and B’Elanna in defiance.

"I don’t know who you are but you are trespassing," the Third Speaker hissed between narrow lips. "This intrusion is in violation of …"

"Ah, but you see, that’s where you’re wrong," Voyager’s captain said, dismissing the other woman. "Let me introduce myself. I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. You’re responsible for the abduction of one of my crewmembers. This makes me a player in the game. This search and rescue operation is according to Dagarian law. I’m sure someone has read you your rights."

The imposing Dagarian woman glared at the auburn haired captain.

"I see," she spat. "You’re her captain. The very resourceful captain who prefers to jeopardise her crewmembers rather than allowing them to follow their hearts. I have abducted nobody. The Sanctuary consists of members who join on their own volition. So did your crewmember!"

"Wrong again," the captain said in a cold tone of voice. "She ‘joined’ to put an end to your illegal operation. I see you understand the correlation between her arrival to the Sanctuary and this search and rescue operation. I am afraid that you are right. We owe all of this to Seven."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

"I understand that you speak from frustration," Janeway said in a dangerous low tone of voice, fighting the urge to throttle the other woman. She had read Tuvok’s report on Speaker Dajana and knew that she was ultimately responsible for everything that took place at this compound, including the administration of the agent. "You’re mistaken if you think that we don’t know just what you and your little bunch of criminals here are up to. Seven of Nine provided us with not only a sample of the agent you use to infect people but also the technology that allowed you to do it."

Dajana growled and launched at Voyager’s captain.

B’Elanna and Tuvok immediately raised their phasers.

"Don’t move," the Klingon hissed. "I’m just dying for an excuse to use this thing on you."

"You’re not good enough for her," Dajana stated, her voice hard.

"What do you mean?" Janeway asked slowly, not liking the expression on the other woman’s face.

"She’s unique; she could have reached the top within our community. She would have become one of our next great leaders if you had not been so selfish! To launch this unwarranted attack on peaceful Servants who only try to do good and spread the teachings …"

"You - are seriously misguided," the captain said stepping up close to the other woman, revealing her rage. She could tell that this woman was very taken with Seven and she was not entirely sure that Speaker Dajana did not harbour more personal feelings regarding the young woman, than just as another member of the Sanctuary. "I know Seven is unique and I know that because she’s demonstrated her individuality over and over again, proving herself to be an invaluable member of my crew. There is nothing you can tell us about Seven that we don’t already know."

Not feeling in the least inclined to continue the conversation; Janeway in a deliberate dismissive way turned her back to Dajana and spoke to the agents in charge of her apprehension.

"Take her away. Be on your guard, she no doubt has contingency plans for a situation like this."

The captain turned to the senior agent next to Tuvok.

"Mr Ebir, we need to access the elevator that is located in that room over there." She pointed towards the door Atahlia had told them about.

Speaker Dajana took in an audible breath.

"What?" demanded B’Elanna, pivoting and glaring at the Speaker. "Is there something you’d like to share with us?"

Speaker Dajana only looked angrily back at the Klingon.

"Hmm, didn’t think so. Get her out of here before I can no longer control the urge to tear her limb from limb and cut her tongue out."

"B’Elanna!" the Doctor responded.

"Patience, B’Elanna." Janeway said in a cool voice as she watched out of the corner of her eyes the Speaker’s response to B’Elanna threat. "There will be time for that later. For the moment I prefer to leave Speaker Dajana’s tongue intact. She may require it. Then again, if we don’t find Seven soon we’ll use your … methods."

B’Elanna gave a low growl in the Third Speaker’s direction as the agents pulled the Speaker towards the room in question.

The fear on the speaker’s face was clear. It finally had dawned on her that she was indeed in the hands of these aliens.

The Voyager crew members followed the little entourage to the next room.

Reaching for her backpack B’Elanna pulled out a tricorder. She scanned the door to the small conference room.

"There’s the painting," Janeway observed and walked up to it. She pulled at the frame but it was firmly attached to the wall. "Scan it."

B’Elanna complied and the tricorder immediately gave a muted beep.

"It’s made up of some sort of liquid matrix. It is camouflaging a door," she reported. "I think you’re supposed to press the painting in different areas. Very ingenious."

Janeway sighed.

"Is there a way to override it?"

"You can’t!" replied the speaker.

"Want to bet? Of course I can," the engineer smirked. "Who ever designed this had not counted on the fact that something as simples as - fingerprints, can reveal what they are so eager to hide."

B’Elanna quickly tapped some codes into her tricorder and then fastened it to her belt. She raised her hand to the painting.

"They have calibrated the access points so that one hand could reach all of them," B’Elanna continued. "Watch."

The Klingon stretched her fingers to match the pattern in the picture in the low left corner. She pressed firmly to activate the controls. There was a hissing sound and then the picture moved up with the segment of the wall, revealing a glass door to a large elevator.

"Good job," Janeway said and scanned the door. "Let’s move in. According to Atahlia, there are cells on the third level. I suggest that we start there."

The speaker moaned.

"You have no idea what you’re doing."

"Do you want us to take her below?" the agent asked, holding the speaker quite tightly in his grasp.

"No," Janeway replied, "but keep her close by in case we need to question her."

"Yes, ma’am."

Just then Agent Ebir joined them."

"What’s our current status?" Janeway asked.

"So far we have apprehended six of the leaders that were not infected by the drug. My latest information is that we also have inoculated twenty-six Servants of Sarassa’s and taken them to area hospitals. Some reacted quite strongly to the antidote."

"We know," Janeway said.

"As soon as you get to your destination send the elevator back to this floor. I have several teams of agents on their way here now. We’ll sweep the other floors below this complex. I hope you find your crewmate soon," Agent Ebir said as the members of Voyager stepped into the elevator.

"So do I," Janeway replied, her phaser ready. "Okay, people, let’s do this."

Tuvok punched in commands on the elevator panel and it began descending. Janeway kept her gaze at the door, not about to let anyone surprise them as the elevator stopped.

B’Elanna and Tuvok covered Janeway as they opened the door and peeked out into the corridor.

"Coast is clear," B’Elanna said and slipped out. The others followed suit and they started down the corridor, scanning each door they passed and then opening it to make sure it was empty.

"This place seems abandoned," B’Elanna remarked.

"Shh, I hear voices," the Doctor said. "I think it’s around that bend."

They moved carefully along the wall, Tuvok taking the lead. He stuck his head out and scanned the corridor.

"Two life signs," he reported. "One Dagarian and one with a Borg signature."

Janeway’s heart leaped.

"That can only be Seven. What’s her status, Tuvok?" she asked in a low voice, walking up next to him.

"The signals are erratic down here. Her bio signature show signs of severe depletion."

The Doctor examined his readings from the medical tricorder.

"Captain, we have to get closer. She doesn’t have long."

"What about the Dagarian? A guard?"

Before Tuvok had time to reply there was a muted sound of a voice.

Janeway acted without concern for her own safety. She lunged around the corner with her phaser drawn. A door was open about ten yards down the corridor. Motioning to her team, Janeway moved quickly towards it. She halted just next to the doorframe. A quick glance over her shoulder made sure that the others were in place. Aiming their phasers they entered the room.

There was an elderly woman bending over a familiar form lying on the floor. She held Seven’s head in her lap, stroking her hair.

"Get away from her!" Janeway growled and motioning at the woman with her phaser, knowing it was set on heavy stun.

The woman looked up, looking completely surprised at their presence and then scrambled away from Seven.

"Help her!" she said urgently. "She’s dying!"

Janeway rushed to the blonde’s side and cautiously rolled her over.

"Seven? Oh, God, what have they done to you?"

The young woman opened her eyes to narrow slits but did not seem to recognise her captain. The Doctor knelt next to Janeway, scanning Seven with a frown appearing on his forehead.

"She is more than depleted," he stated. "Her cortical implant is malfunctioning. There are no active nano probes left and …"

He hesitated.

"Go on," Janeway urged him, knowing that his news were bad.

"Her human organs are shutting down. She is blind on her human eye, her hearing is severely impaired and several of her organs like her kidneys and liver are in jeopardy. She’s dying. I have to get her to sickbay immediately."

"Shouldn’t we give her the antidote?"

"I have to confess that I’m not certain. The reactions from the some of the individuals that have received the antidote have been quite violent as you have seen. I’m not sure that Seven’s body can handle that. On the other hand, the chance is great that she will not be able to fight the effect of the drug to last her on her way back to Voyager."

Janeway looked down at the young woman that held her heart. She was more frightened than she had ever been in her life. Frightened of making the wrong decision and terrified of losing Seven.

"Your recommendation, Doctor?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Another quick scan.

"We don’t have a choice. We have to give her the antidote and then move her up to the surface and transport her. Time is of the essence."

The captain inhaled sharply.

"Do it."

The Doctor pressed the hypo spray against Seven’s neck and injected the antidote into her jugular vein. Three or four everlasting seconds later, the ex-Borg began to shiver.

"Kathryn …" she gushed in a whisper as the antidote surged through her system, aiding the few active nano probes still defending her body.

"I’m here, Seven," the captain assured her. "We’ll take you back to Voyager. You’ll be fine."

She blinked tears of fright away and assisted Tuvok and the Doctor in lifting the young woman up. Tuvok who possessed the greatest physical strength among them began to carry Seven towards the elevator accompanied by the Doctor.

"What about her?" B’Elanna asked, motioning with her chin towards the older woman on the floor. "I scanned her. She’s affected by the agent."

"We’ll give her the antidote when we get up where she can get medical assistance. Let’s get out of here," Janeway said. She was not about to let anything slow her down. She wanted desperately to join Seven in sickbay immediately.

B’Elanna nodded and turned to the older woman who was huddling on the floor. She had long, silvery hair and was dressed in a ruby red dress.

"Here, let me help you. You’ll be okay. They won’t be able to hurt you anymore."

The woman smiled gratefully and accepted the proffered hand. They all hurried after Tuvok and the Doctor. When they came around the curve in the corridor they saw the two men carry Seven inside the elevator at the far end.

"Send the elevator down for us when you’ve reached the surface," Janeway called out.

They nodded and the door closed behind them.

Janeway regarded the older woman closely.

"I know this is confusing for you," she said. "We will take you to your own people upstairs and you will be all right."

"You mean you will take me to the Third Speaker?" the woman asked hopefully. "There has been so much noise and shouting. I heard your friend cry out so I left my hospital bed to help her. I found her on the floor."

"She is very ill. Thank you for trying to help her," the captain said.

"Oh, that is what we’re taught here at the Sanctuary, to help anyone in need," the woman beamed. "I just hope she will regain her health."

The elevator arrived and saved Janeway from having to reply.

The elevator ascended towards the small conference room that now had turned into a route of evacuation for every apprehended or saved member of the Sanctuary coming from the bunker.

As they moved out of the elevator, B’Elanna approached one of the medics and handed the Dagarian woman over to them with instructions to inoculate her.

Agent Ebir and Tuvok approached Janeway.

"The Doctor and Seven were relayed back to Voyager," Tuvok said.

"I’ll join them," Janeway replied. She turned to Ebir. "We found the old woman on the third level. She’s affected by the drug. According to her statement, she was being held in a room close to Seven’s. Lt Torres is informing the medics about her right now."

"We’ll take over from here," the Dagarian agent said. "You’ve given us enough of your time, Captain. We understand that you need to join Seven of Nine. Our prayers are with her."

"Thank you," Janeway said. She turned to Tuvok. "I want you and B’Elanna to remain behind and assist with the operation. Keep me posted."

"Certainly, Captain."

The auburn haired woman stepped aside and tapped her comm badge.

"Janeway to Voyager. One to beam directly to sickbay."

The green shimmer engulfed her but she could still hear B’Elanna’s voice before she dematerialised.

"Kah’Plah, Captain. Seven will pull through."

Janeway saw Seven’s face, colourless, before her.

"Don’t leave me, Seven," she murmured as she re-materialised in sickbay. "Don’t die."

*****

Concluded in Among Stars: Sarassa's Sanctuary pt 4