The Guardians - part 4

The Guardians
© GB

Part 4

The away team had just completed its latest scans of the mountainous area. They had recorded thousands of aftershocks in the region since the last significant quake. Standing on a ridge the team could see the devastation in the valley far below.

Ensign Hannah Blake had just completed packing the last of the surveying equipment when a sudden rumble alerted them of another aftershock. Looking across to the mountains that enclosed the valley to the south, the team watched in horror as the face of one of the mountains gave way, destroying a small village and everything else that lay in its path.

The earth below them began to shake.

This was no aftershock. This was another quake along a new fault line. Hannah grabbed her tricorder trying to obtain readings when the ground beneath her feet began to tremble and crumple. Lt Schwartz, the senior officer and leader of the away team of six, lost his footing and fell.

"Lieutenant!" Hannah yelled out as she reached for her commanding officer. Soon the entire team was fighting to stay upright but it was impossible.

The ground shook violently making a shattering noise.

Hannah leaned against an outcrop of bedrock and held on with all of her strength. Terrified she saw an avalanche of rock and debris began to fall no more than one hundred meters to her left.

She closed her eyes. They were not going to make it.

She tried in vain to activate her communicator but she could not let go of the rock, to do so would mean certain death. She clung to the hard surface, feeling her nails break painfully. The dust and debris were thick around her as she began to choke on the air she breathed. She had no idea where her crewmates were or if they were dead or alive.

The quake went on for what seemed an eternity, ripping at her frantic grip around the rock as if it desired nothing but to hurl her into the abyss with the rest of the debris.

Then she heard a hoarse voice call her name.

"Hannah! Hannah! Are you all right? Can you hear me?"

She recognised the voice of her friend Rhyssa. Rhyssa Langtara was one of the crewmembers onboard the Excellence who were from the Delta Quadrant. The tall, dark haired woman and Hannah had become friends when Rhyssa accepted a commission six years ago.

Hannah tried to focus, her eyes burning from all the dust, and find her friend.

"Rhyssa," Hannah croaked and began to cough. "I’m over here by the rocks!"

"I can’t see you. I can’t see any of the others either."

"Stay where you are," Hannah yelled. "Find something to hang on to."

"I’m trying but I keep slipping, Hannah," the other woman said.

Hannah could detect fear in Rhyssa’s voice. She was terrified herself but knew if she let panic take over, she might never make it through this.

"I’m right here," she shouted over the noise. "Hang on, Rhyssa!"

After an unknown amount of time, most likely not as long as it had seemed to her, the rumbling diminished. Hannah held her breath, her fingers still clutching at the rough surface of the rock. She didn’t trust the sudden stillness. Every muscle in her body was prepared to brace against the tremors.

"Rhyssa," she tried, appalled at her weak and hoarse her voice. "Are you okay? Rhyssa?"

There was no reply.

Hannah tried to squint through the air but it was too thick with dust to allow her to see more than half a yard in front of her.

"Lieutenant!" she tried again. "Lt Schwartz!"

When nothing happened she carefully freed her right hand and tapped her comm badge.

"Ensign Blake to the Protectorate Embassy."

There was nothing, not even static. She tried again with the same discouraging results.

Hannah cautiously let go of the rock and searched for her tricorder. Finding it on the ground near by where it had fallen, she reached out and picked it up. She tried to scan her surroundings but the readings were erratic and off the scale indicating severe magnetic disturbance of unknown origin.

"Rhyssa? Lieutenant Schwartz?"

She kept calling the names of her crewmates while coughing. She slowly moved toward the direction where she had last heard Rhyssa’s voice. The terrain was rough to begin with and the quake had made it even worse. She realised that there could be new dangers along the path.

With one hand extended in front of her she stumbled over the uneven ground. Her head ached and she felt a slow trickle of something run from her forehead down her cheek. Hannah realised that she must have hit her head.

She called out again, unable to understand why she couldn’t hear the others. There was the obvious reason of course, but she refused to acknowledge the fact that they might be dead. Rhyssa had been so close, how was it possible that she could have slid away out of earshot like this?

Hannah cried out as she banged her foot hard against a rock. She fell down on her knees, feeling the uniform rip. Her palms hurt from trying to break the fall. Losing her balance and falling on her side, Hannah began to roll downhill.

Dust whirled around her. Franticly she tried to stop her tumbling descent but to no avail. The dry ground was too hard and she could not get a foothold.

Suddenly she was hanging in mid air where she just had been bouncing and rolling. She cried out in surprise and fright as she fell over some edge that had not been there before. She hit a steep surface and continued to tumble down, now at a neck breaking speed.

Fighting to remain conscious, her body struggled against the onslaught of devastating pain as it continuously made impact with the hard surface over and over again.

Just as the darkness was about to consume her, her bruised body came to a sudden halt.

Hannah groaned as she landed on something more yielding than the hard rock.

Sobbing, she touched the broken form beneath her. A cry escaped her cracked and bleeding lips.

She had found Rhyssa.

*****

Eliana Montgomery rematerialised on the transporter dais onboard Voyager. Nodding briefly to the ensign operating the controls, she swiftly stepped down.

"Captain Janeway is expecting me," she informed the young man.

"Yes, ma’am," he answered smartly. "Do you require an escort to the bridge, Captain?"

Montgomery smirked.

"That won’t be necessary Ensign. I’m sure I can find my way."

She walked briskly through Voyager’s corridors, nodding to the crewmembers as she passed.

She stepped into a turbo lift.

"Deck one."

Reaching the bridge and she crossed it after greeting the Voyager crew with a short ‘at ease’ as they stood to acknowledge her.

She rang the door chime to the ready room.

"Enter."

Janeway was at her desk. The younger woman was punching in commands into her computer, hardly looking up.

"We’ve got serious trouble below," Montgomery stated and took the seat across from Voyager’s captain without waiting for an invitation.

Janeway looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Lt Ramirez has managed to restore our long range communication array. All of the teams reported in after the last quake with one exception, Lt Schwartz’s. We need to launch a search and rescue mission as soon as possible.

Janeway regarded her evenly.

"I agree," she said, "but where do we begin? Do you have their last coordinates?"

"Yes, but we’re not picking up any readings. There is too much magnetic disruption in that area since this last event occurred. My people can’t make out any life signs in that region let alone the team’s. Look Kathryn," the older captain explained. "I can’t do this by myself. I need your help. These are my people and for all I know they are hurt and in need."

"All right. We’ll launch a joint away team to their last known coordinates and I’ll have my bridge begin scanning the area for bio signs as well," Janeway stated.

"Thanks," Montgomery smiled. "I anticipated your response so I ordered three of my people to stand by to assist. I figured three from each crew would suffice."

Janeway tapped her comm badge.

"Janeway to the Delta Flyer."

"Paris here. Go ahead, Captain."

"Return to Voyager, Mr Paris. You have new passengers."

"Aye, Captain. Paris out."

Janeway then proceeded to hail the senior security officer onboard Voyager and told him to put together an away team of three officers to join the Guardians in a search and rescue operation.

"The situation down there is bound to be difficult," Montgomery cautioned. "Since my people are more experienced in these maters, I recommend that my crew retains seniority in this effort."

Janeway nodded.

"Agreed. Tom will beam the search and rescue party down to the coordinates where your people were last heard from."

"Good."

"I was just going to make myself a cup of coffee. Do you want some? You sure look like you could do with one."

Montgomery chuckled.

"Is that your way of telling me I look like hell? Well, I’m sure I do and yes I’d love a cup as long as you don’t tell Max. Speaking of Max, he reported in that they were still in the air when the quake occurred."

"I know. Chakotay briefly sent a message through the Delta Flyer."

"What a mess. This wasn’t the one we were expecting. It appears along an entirely new fault line but it’s making our work damn near impossible down there," Montgomery said, rubbing her forehead.

"So, Seven’s predictions are still relevant?"

"Oh yes. The stress has continued to build along the old fault line just as she predicted. This last bit of business was one of nature’s anomalies meant to make our lives even more complicated then they already are."

Her head pounded again, the pain making her slightly nauseous. She was accustomed to transporters aggravating the pain and the fact that they sometimes could cause slight disorientation if she wasn’t careful.

"You okay?" Janeway asked cautiously.

"I’m fine."

Janeway didn’t look convinced but nodded.

"You know, our Doctor is at your disposal if you need anything," she offered.

Montgomery bit back an impatient retort, realising that the younger woman was genuinely concerned.

"Thank you," she managed and then changed the subject. "There is something else I need to talk to you about. It’s quite serious."

Janeway frowned.

"I’m not sure I like the sound of that."

"It has to do with Seven of Nine."

Voyager’s captain seemed to hold her breath for a moment.

"Go on."

"Lt Ramirez has been running diagnostics on all our systems. There is evidence in our database that your ex-Borg compromised Protectorate technology. This is a serious offence."

The anger flashing from Janeway’s eyes, turning them into a blazing grey did not surprise Montgomery.

"She rescued your ship, your crew and you accuse her of compromising the database?" Janeway hissed.

"Don’t blow a fuse, Kathryn, hear me out. She did save us all by stopping the core breech, no one is disputing that. What she also did, perhaps out of necessity, was access classified Protectorate files and technology. She now possesses knowledge that only members of the Guardians are entitled to."

"Are you sure about this? Seven was interfaced with your computer but as far as I could tell, only to …"

"I’m sure, Kathryn. Lt Ramirez showed me the computer logs. Seven of Nine saved us, but the heart of the matter is, she unwittingly violated a Protectorate rule and according to the regulations I’m obligated to report her to the High Council."

"You can’t be serious!"

"I’m very serious."

"Damn it! She saved us all, for heaven’s sake," Janeway exclaimed. "You can’t do this."

Montgomery knew she had to. She had sworn allegiance to the Protectorate and honoured their rules and regulations for more than ten years. There was no way she was going to break them.

She hesitated briefly.

"I don’t have a choice in this matter. I have to report the incident but what I can do is delay it," she found herself say. "I can wait until our mission is complete and then brief the High Council of Seven’s heroic action and ask that they show leniency."

Janeway rose from her chair and leaned over the desk.

"And what if the Protectorate fails to understand?"

"They are very wise and compassionate, regardless of what you think," Montgomery explained. "Besides, the responsibility lies with me and I will make them see that if anyone is at fault it is me. Kathryn, you have to trust me in this."

Janeway slumped back into her chair.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really."

"Thank you, Eliana," the younger captain said quietly after a moment’s silence.

"You’re welcome."

Janeway’s comm badge chirped.

"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway," an uncharacteristically distraught voice hailed.

"Janeway here. What’s wrong, Seven?" Janeway asked.

Montgomery leaned back into her chair and smirked.

Of course, more trouble.

*****

Seven of Nine stood in the centre of sickbay, regarding Neelix stubbornly.

She realised that the little Talaxian was simply performing his duty but she had no intention of regenerating at a time like this when every moment worked against the crews.

"Regeneration is not necessary," she insisted. "Doctor, you can simply replicate more nanoprobes and administer them into my bloodstream and …"

"And Captain Janeway will have both our heads," the Doctor sighed. "Seven, you’re not being reasonable."

"I find the fact that I am expected to regenerate when there is a major crisis at hand to be unreasonable," the ex-Borg declared, firmly setting her jaw. She tapped her comm badge. "Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway."

There was a brief silence.

"Janeway here. What’s wrong, Seven?"

"Captain, I do not require regeneration at this stage. Please adjust your previous orders to Neelix."

"What are you talking about? Of course you need to regenerate. The Doctor …"

"The Doctor can administer replicated nanoprobes. I will function within acceptable …"

"Is the Doctor there?"

"Yes, Captain," the Doctor sighed.

"Would such a thing be as efficient as regenerating?"

"No, Captain. It will keep her going for a bit but it might put her already strained cortical implant in jeopardy if she wasn’t careful."

"There you go, Seven. Now, follow the Doctor’s recommendations."

Seven bit her lip, exasperation filling her as she tried to get through to Janeway.

"I cannot remain passive, Captain," she said. "The people on the planet need our assistance. There are many things I can do to contribute. I can be of …"

She was very tired and having argued with the Doctor and Neelix had taken almost all her strength. If she couldn’t get the captain to order the Doctor to administer the nanoprobes, she would have no choice but to regenerate.

"Seven, listen to me," Janeway said over the comm link. "I know you want to help out and you have. You put your life on the line for the Excellence and for Voyager too. Now go and regenerate. The Doctor said you would need to do that for several days."

"No!"

Tears filled the frustrated blonde’s eyes. It was important for her to participate in this rescue operation and she felt something close to panic at the prospect of not being able to.

"Seven, I …" Janeway paused. "Wait there. I’m coming down. Janeway out."

The comm link was broken.

Seven regarded the Doctor and Neelix cautiously. She disliked going over their heads to the captain but knew it was necessary. She wanted to be part of this. No, what she was feeling was much stronger than simply wanting to be part of something. Something deep within her demanded that she take part in this effort.

Seven struggled trying to understand the competing emotions that recent events had stirred inside her. When she had linked with the ship’s computer aboard the Excellence she had briefly gained insight into the Protectorate and the role of the Guardians.

In some strange way the Protectorate reminded her of the Collective but instead of perfection these beings were on a quest, but for what? Goodness? Justice? Salvation? Redemption?

These were new concepts for her to explore, as was the role of the Guardians who served as the Protectorate Avatars here in the Delta Quadrant.

Since Captain Janeway had severed her from the Collective, she had come in contacts with these concepts and ideals through the deeds of Voyager’s crew and her captain and in the research she had conducted in her search for humanity. She knew however, that the true meaning of these words still remained too abstract for her to comprehend fully. Late at night she would engage the captain in philosophical discussions on these topics but Seven had found the captains explanations, as well as the behaviour of the Voyager crew, at times contradictory.

Yet here were these beings that seemed to exemplify these qualities and the fact that they had chosen humans to be among their champions fascinated her. Seven yearned to explore these matters further. Perhaps if she could come to terms with these concepts she could come to terms with her past and find what? Forgiveness?

She ignored the fatigue and squared her shoulders. She would not be ordered into a regeneration cycle.

"Captain Janeway only wants what’s best for you, Seven," Neelix tried.

"I am aware of the captain’s admirable intentions," the blonde replied shortly.

"You were very badly injured."

"I know that also." Her face took on a steely expression. "I was there."

"Yes, of course." Neelix sounded confused.

"I regret that I am displaying such a difficult side, Neelix," Seven said, displeased with the way she was addressing her crew mate but unable to stop herself.

"Then why are you?" a throaty voice said from the door. Janeway stepped inside sickbay, eyeing Seven carefully. "Why are you deliberately going against the Doctor’s recommendations and my explicit orders?"

Seven knew this would not please her captain.

"I have to. I need to …" The blonde broke off, feeling dizzy from the fatigue. She knew she needed the nanoprobes quickly if she was going to avoid regenerating.

"What do you need?" Janeway asked. She stepped closer to Seven and put a hand around the younger woman’s elbow, carefully steadying her.

"I need nanoprobes. I need to be apart in this mission. I do not mean to sound impertinent but you need my assistance, Captain," Seven said urgently.

"You have done more than your share, Seven," Janeway said and guided the blonde towards a bio bed. "Doctor, didn’t you say that an extended regeneration cycle was the only thing that would normalise Seven’s implants?" she asked while motioning for Seven to sit down.

"I did, Captain. That is still true."

"There. You see, Seven?" the captain said convincingly. "You need to regenerate."

"I do not. I will require regeneration later but for now I can function in a satisfactory manner by administering nanoprobes using a hypospray. That will sustain me and keep my implants operating within acceptable parameters for a minimum of twenty-four hours."

Janeway regarded her solemnly and then lowered her head, shaking it slowly.

"You are the most stubborn woman …" she muttered. "Doctor, do you agree with this?"

"No, Captain. I actually think that you are the most stubborn …" He stopped himself when he noticed Janeway glaring at him. "Oh, you mean regarding the nanoprobes. I wouldn’t recommend it on a regular basis but Seven has a point. She could function for a short time if nothing strenuous to her system occurred in the meantime."

Seven looked hopefully at Janeway.

"Captain? Please."

The older woman walked closer to Seven.

"I have several conditions, Seven," Janeway stated slowly, leaning into the younger woman’s personal space. "You will not do anything physically demanding that will deplete your system. You report directly to me and take your orders from me only. I expect you to supervise in astrometrics or in Voyager’s engineering - I know they need help but you are not to overdo it. If there are any indication that you …"

"I will not disobey, Captain," Seven said. "I am grateful. This is important to me. I need to help." She dipped her head. "Thank you, Captain."

"Don’t make me regret this, Seven."

"I will not."

"Hm. I’m not so sure. All right, Doctor. You can administer the nanoprobes and then I expect you to run frequent scans of Seven’s implants and check up on her in general. Even if this means hauling her into sick bay against her will."

The Doctor rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Captain. It will take me a little while to replicate the nanoprobes according to the specifications in the pattern buffer. It is a complex technology."

He left them to carry out his orders.

Seven turned to Neelix.

"I regret that I was so unpleasant towards you."

"Don’t worry, Seven. I know you only want to help out. I feel the same way. To think that the Guardians rely on us to help them out is pretty amazing, isn’t it?"

"Yes." Seven closed her eyes when another wave of fatigue and slight nausea hit her.

Janeway leaned against the bio bed and put an arm around the younger woman’s shoulders.

"Well, I have duties in the mess hall to attend to," Neelix smiled. "I think you have all the support you need here right now, Seven. See you all later."

The captain shot the little Talaxian a look but didn’t let go of Seven.

Neelix left sickbay and Seven leaned against Janeway, her head suddenly so heavy.

"I do not like this weakness," she muttered.

"I know," Janeway replied. "You get very cranky when you’re ill, do you realise that?"

"I do not. I simply state the truth."

"To silently endure something is not for you, is it?" Janeway said with a crooked smile.

Seven wanted to reply but couldn’t think of anything to say. She was so tired and the closeness to Janeway made her slightly dizzy. The captain held her close with a strong arm around Seven’s shoulders and the faint perfume Janeway wore was intoxicating.

Not quite realising what she was about to do, Seven slid down on the bio bed, only wanting to lie down but ending up with her head in Janeway’s lap. The captain went rigid for a second but then Seven felt soft hands adjusting her head into a more comfortable position. The same hands began to comb through her blonde unfastened hair, pushing it off her face.

"You’re tired," Janeway determined quietly.

"The nanoprobes will rectify that."

"Yes, but it is only a temporary solution. The Doctor will be a while. How do you feel?"

"The fatigue is annoying and the pain is bearable."

"You’re still in pain?"

"It is of less importance. It does not debilitate me. I am merely weakened by the depletion of my systems."

The hands in her hair never stopped moving. Over and over, the captain let her elegant fingers comb through Seven’s hair. The feeling was unfamiliar but enjoyable. The ex-Borg sighed and closed her eyes.

"I find this sensation most agreeable," she said quietly. "I did not realise that being touched in this manner could also replenish my resources."

The hands stopped.

"What do you mean, Seven?"

"Your touch is soothing. It reduces the pain and it makes the fatigue less important since I cannot focus on anything but your hands."

Janeway inhaled audibly.

"Why did you stop?" Seven asked wonderingly.

Slowly the captain’s hands resumed their slow caresses.

"I’m glad it helps," the older woman whispered. "I can’t stay long. We have a new challenge on our hands. I have to return to the bridge."

"I understand, Captain. Please do not keep from performing your task at hand merely because …"

"A few minutes more won’t do any harm. Here comes the Doctor now. I’ll stay until he has administered the nanoprobes."

Seven remained with her head on Janeway’s lap as she felt the coolness of a hypo spray against her neck. It hissed and she could feel the content infiltrate her bloodstream. The invigoration was immediate and she opened her eyes.

Looking down at her with the softest blue gaze she had ever seen from her captain, Janeway smiled crookedly.

"There, all better?" the older woman asked.

"Yes. I am ‘all better’. Thank you for your assistance, Kathryn."

"You’re welcome, Seven. Can you manage without me now?"

Suddenly afraid of answering the simple question with a yes, Seven bit her lip. Then she inhaled deeply and nodded.

"Of course. I am functioning within normal parameters, Captain."

Janeway helped her to sit up.

"Good," she said briskly and jumped off the bio bed. "We have work to do."

*****

Ensign Brovskij materialised at the foot of a mountain and surveyed his surroundings. Before him were the remnants of what must recently have been a scenic vista. Now all that remained was evidence of nature’s destructive forces.

Less than an hour ago he had received orders to join two of his colleagues from Voyager to conduct a search and rescue operation along with members of the Excellence’s crew. Apparently some of their members were unaccounted for. He, Lt Carlson and Ensign Mercier had rendezvoused with three Guardians in Voyager’s shuttle bay where Tom Paris had arrived to take them into high orbit around the planet.

The Guardians had introduced themselves. All of them projected themselves as quiet professionals, confident yet unassuming. It was this attitude and their manner that impressed Brovskij.

The tall, dark lieutenant in charge of the mission, Lt Peters, quickly briefed them on the current situation and what their goals and objectives were. The crew from the Excellence had brought some unusual gear with them. Lt Peter asked the Voyager crew to quickly layout their equipment. After a quick inspection he contacted the Excellence and three backpacks materialized in the cargo bay.

"What this?" asked Lt Carlson as he examined on of the backpack.

"It’s our standard rescue equipment. We will familiarize each of you with the items once we are aboard the shuttle."

"Isn’t this stuff a little primitive?" asked Mercier.

"Primitive? Perhaps, but it’s our standard equipment, guaranteed to work under any conditions. Have any of you helmets?"

"No," responded Carlson.

"T’Pol?"

"I’m on it sir. Would you three show me were your closest replicator is?"

"There’s one on the far side of this bay."

"Very good. Come."

The two Guardians that had accompanied Peters were not of the Alpha Quadrant. They looked almost human, only their tall foreheads with an intricate pattern of ridges made them appear alien. None of them had undergone any cosmetic alterations since the area they were about to search was remote and it was highly unlikely that they would encounter any of the planet’s inhabitants. T’Pol had quickly punched input into the replicator. Within second three helmets appeared. Quickly he handed them out, inspected each and nodded with approval.

Assembled once again each member grabbed one of the packs and quickly boarded the shuttle.

The trip passed quickly as Peters went over the equipment that the Voyager crew had just received. Peters explained the hazards of the situation below and emphasized the importance of pairing up. "I want each of you to pair up with one from the other crew. Ensign … Brovskij, was it? You’ll be with me."

Once the team had materialised they quickly assumed their duties by pulling out their tricorders and scanning the area for life forms.

Initially, Brovskij did not detect any life signs bigger than small rodents in the area. The silence around them was eerie in a foreboding sort of way.

"Let’s fan out people," Lt Peters, ordered. "Search your designated grids and stay in contact with me.

Ensign Brovskij could not believe his luck. Teaming up with the officer in charge of the away mission was an adrenalin rush. He wanted to learn from one of the best. Rumours below decks were that these Guardians were supposed to be the real deal. Well, he would show these guys that the Voyager crew were not slouches either. He just hoped to god he didn’t make a fool out of himself in the process. "Stay sharp!" he murmured to himself.

He had just graduated from the Academy when he had received his assignment onboard Voyager on her first mission. Who could have foreseen that he would become a seasoned space explorer in a part of space so many light years from home?

He now followed Lt Peters as the tall man began climbing up along what appeared to be the remnants of a mountain trail. It looked more like a broken line drawn by a giant finger in the ground.

"Careful," Peters said when a small landslide of rocks came tumbling down to their left. He hefted his backpack further up on his shoulders. "We’re no good to them dead," he said with a grin.

Feeling less nervous at the other man’s casual way of joking in the middle of all the gravity, Brovskij smiled, shaking his head.

"No, sir."

They slowly worked their way up, stopping every ten minutes to scan the area. The Guardians had configured the Voyager team’s tricorders to omit a signal that could both detect and alert the missing away team, should any of their tricorders still be functioning.

Despite the briefing regarding the probability of aftershocks, Brovskij wasn’t prepared when the surface below him began to rock. The ground acted like a live entity beneath his feet. It shifted sideways, trembled and heaved over and over for what seemed an eternity when in fact it was only seconds.

The ensign fumbled for support but began to slide down the broken path.

"Brovskij! Grab on to something," Lt Peters yelled.

Squinting at the older man, Brovskij could see that his commanding officer was securely holding on to a thick branch and a rock just to his right. He felt something scrape painfully against his thigh and automatically grabbed for it, relieved to find a protruding rock that he could get a firm grip on. His tricorder fell to the ground and then suddenly all was still.

"You okay?" Lt Peters called.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, quit laying around on the job. We’ve got a trail to climb."

Listening to Peters checking the status of the other members of the away team, Brovskij reluctantly let go of the rock, feeling utterly unprotected as he reached for his tricorder.

If an aftershock was this unsettling, he could only imagine how it would feel to experience a full-blown quake.

The sudden faint beep from his tricorder made his heart jump. Not sure if it was a sensor glitch he stared at it. The reading flickered over the small screen and was gone again. He adjusted the sensors and made a sweeping motion up the path.

The tricorder beeped again and now a reading interfered by static appeared for several seconds.

"Lieutenant," he called. "I think we may be on the right spot. I’m not sure what I’m seeing but it’s worth a check."

Peters quickly skidded down to him and scanned the area himself.

His tricorder was quiet.

"Must be a sensor echo," the lieutenant offered. "I’m not getting anything."

"Look here," Brovskij insisted.

He scanned up the mountain again. His tricorder now transmitted a definite pattern.

Peters regarded it solemnly.

"I don’t know why my tricorder isn’t registering this, but you’re right. Good job, kid. We need to check this out."

He tapped his comm badge.

"Peters to away team. Report to grid four six two."

The other teams gave affirmative answers.

Brovskij began to climb the path once again walking slightly to the left in an effort to avoid the greatest amount of debris. As he rounded a curve along the treacherous trail a long signal erupted from his tricorder. Looking ahead, he could see Peters just rounding next curve along the trail.

Looking down at his tricorder he began to adjust its frequency as he slowly moved along the trail. Focusing his attention in the readings, he took another step forward and …

Suddenly he was falling. It was as if the ground below him was swallowing him whole. All he could hear was the scream that came out of his mouth as he plummeted into the darkness below.

*****

Ensign Hannah slowly worked her way into a sitting position. Her body was in agony from the uncomfortable position she had found herself in. Taking a deep breath, she managed to get to her knees and with an effort she rose to her feet and peeked up towards the small circle of light that shone above her. She tried to estimate what her position was and how far she and the others had fallen but her tricorder was not making sense. Her best guess was that they were at least thirty metres below ground.

She was not sure how it had happen but she and her away team had fallen down a steep chasm into an underground cavern.

Initially she had lost consciousness but had regained it over time. She had literally landed on poor Rhyssa who still remained unconscious. It had taken her several minutes to discover the remaining members of her team. All were injured and in serious need of medical attention.

After recovering her team members she had rested briefly. It had been mistake. Now her limbs were rebelling even more.

"That will teach me to lay down," she grumbled as she again began to assess their situation.

Examining the premises, she had formed a theory why the tricorders were acting crazy. The inside walls in the cave were of a metallic kind of rock. She had worked on adjusting her scans but so far she had been unable to determine its makeup.

Hannah had tried several times to send up emergency flare beacons through the hole. The disturbance from the cavern interfered with their guiding systems, sending them crashing into the walls. She had no way of adjusting the remaining two.

A soft moan made her return to her shipmates. Gently she reached down and pulled a thin metallic blanket closer around Rhyssa.

Her friend had suffered several fractures to her arms and ribs. Hannah had tried to splint the bones the best she could but there was little material available and no way of knowing the severity of the injuries. The fall had badly damaged the emergency medical kit. There was no way to knot the bones. All she could do was administer drugs to keep Rhyssa sedated and as pain free as possible.

Lieutenant Schwartz’s condition was even graver. The medical tricorder had confirmed internal injuries and bleeding. All she could do to counter his internal blood loss was to administer re-hydration ampoules from the emergency medical kit using a hypo spray. He was already showing signs of shock. His breathing had become thready and his pulse was slowly weakening. There were not enough ampoules to sustain him. If the rescuers did not come soon he would bleed out and die.

The rest of the away team members were slowly returning to the land of the living. Most had some type of trauma injury, all debilitating but not life threatening. Pain itself was not the only problem. They all suffered from thirst due to the lack of water, including herself.

Hannah had conducted an inventory of their resources once she had taken care of everyone. The news had not been good. Some of their packs had been lost in the fall; the ones she had managed to find had been destroyed or damaged. It was a miracle that they were still alive.

Looking down at her injured friend, she mustered her courage once again and went in search of water.

The cavern was treacherous. Every now and then the earth would shake as another aftershock rocked the planet’s surface. Each time more and more debris fell from above. Ducking for cover Hannah would try to shield herself from the worst.

After an hour of searching she turned and began making her way back to the group. All her efforts had been in vain. If there was water in this cavern then it had to be at a deeper level and that would mean leaving her crewmates behind for a more extended period of time than this.

As she made her way back her frustration grew with each step. Angry tears welled up. Wiping her hand across her face she refused to let them fall. This was unacceptable. There would be no more tears.

Returning to her crewmates she checked on their progress. Their conditions had not stabilised.

Rhyssa had regained consciousness. The painkiller had worn off and it had begun to take its toll.

Hannah knelt down beside her and gently touched her cheek.

"How’s it going?"

"Not too well. How about you?" Rhyssa whispered huskily.

"I’m fine," Hannah replied, caressing the other woman’s hair. "Just relax. I have another hypospray here. You’ll feel much better in a few moments."

"What’s taking so long? Why haven’t they come for us?"

"They’ll be here for us soon. You know the procedure."

"Yes, I do but it’s taking forever," Rhyssa said with a grimace as the hypospray released the painkiller into her system and the pain began to leave her body. "Maybe it’s this place. You have to admit it’s the creepiest place we’ve had the honour to dwell in for some time."

"Ah, don’t exaggerate," Hannah tried to smile. "You remember that hotel at Dogodar Prime? Now, that’s what I define as creepy."

Her friend gave a hollow laughter, bordering on exasperation then began to cough.

"Ahh! Don’t make me laugh you fool. It hurts like hell."

"Sorry, Rhyssa. You have to admit, though, that hotel was a roach infested hell hole."

"It was but we had a wonderful time together on that shore leave."

"The best."

Hannah did not like the serious way the conversation was taking. She felt like they were almost saying goodbye; there was such finality in Rhyssa’s voice.

"Hannah?"

"Yes," the ensign managed.

"How is Schwartz doing?" the other woman asked quietly.

"Not too good."

For a time the two just looked at each other remaining silent.

"How about the others? Is everyone accounted for?"

"Yes, we’re all here. The others are hurt but alive. The problem is we lost a lot of our gear.

"The tricorder?"

"It’s here but it’s worthless. The readings are off the scale one minute and the next it isn’t registering anything at all. I don’t want you to worry. The Excellence will track us down. They always do."

"There’s always a first."

Silence descended upon them again.

Rhyssa turned her head and Hannah knew she was trying to make out the other members of the crew. Hannah had taken a phaser and heated three separate piles of stone. The glow of the rocks warmed the cavern and provided a small amount of light. The crew was in bad shape. Besides the trauma they had suffered hypothermia and dehydration were the greatest threats.

With the exception of Hannah none of them were mobile.

"How are we on water?"

"We have some but it’s not enough to sustain us for any great length of time."

"How long?"

"Maybe a day, perhaps two."

Turning her had once more she captured Hannah’s eyes and held them.

"You know what you have to do, don’t you?" Rhyssa said, her voice dry and cracking

Suddenly tears sprung to Hannah’s eyes as she looked down on her beloved friend.

"Yes," she whispered quietly, her heart breaking as she realised that might never see Rhyssa again.

"It’s time. As a matter of fact, sweetie, it’s long overdue."

Her throat constricting, Hannah swallowed hard.

"No, no, there’s still some time," she whispered as a tear fell from her cheek.

"Hannah, time is running out for all of us " her wounded friend urged her softly. "You have to leave me. You have to start climbing. You’re our only chance. Now let me rest. I’ll be here when you return, I promise. Now, go be a hero."

She leaned down and touched Rhyssa’s forehead with her own. A defiant tear untangled from her eyelashes and fell on the other woman’s cheek.

"Hero my ass!" she said as she choked on her tears.

"Don’t cry," Rhyssa whispered huskily. "Check on the others and then just go. Don’t come back and say goodbye, I can’t take it. Just make sure Schwartz and the others are okay and then get the hell out of here."

When Hannah didn’t move at once, a small shudder went through the broken body underneath her.

"Hannah, for God’s sake. Just do it!"

The ensign knew she was making it harder on Rhyssa and clumsily got on her feet. The pain of what she had to do consumed her but she angrily wiped her wet cheeks. Looking down on her friend she shook her heard, then pointed a finger at her.

"You listen to me and listen to me good. Don’t you dare do anything stupid while I’m gone. Do you understand? Don’t even think of dying. And that goes for the rest of you too!"

There were chuckles among the crew as she walked in the midst of the fallen Guardians. She tried to console them with words of comfort. They in turn teased her with their own brand of warped gallows humour.

"Try not to get lost along the way, Blake."

"Yeah, even you should be able to follow directions, Blake!"

Looking down on one of her injured comrade she smiled.

"And what direction would that be?" she inquired.

"Up."

"Funny, very funny."

Taking her phaser out she recharged the rocks once more. At least they would be warm. Grabbing one of the rucksacks she made a quick inventory. She was short a few item.

Quickly she rummaged through the others gears she began to find the items she needed.

They had all been wearing helmets. It was probably the only reason that had all lived. She just needed to find a reasonably whole one.

"Looking for your brain bucket Blake?"

"Good guess. Unfortunately I found mine, and it’s non functional."

"Take mine."

She looked over at McGuire.

"I don’t want to take your helmet Mac"

"Honest, I may be in bad shape but I’m smart enough to duck if something starts falling from above. Take it, Blake. Attach a light to it and you’ll be good to go."

"Thanks, Mac"

"Just remember where you got it, okay?"

"You’ve got a deal."

"What else do you need?"

Among them they were able to scrounge up enough gear for her to make an accent. Quickly she got into her full body harness and attached the tools of the trade. Next she lifted the pack onto her shoulders she synched it tightly to her body.

After worriedly checking on a comatose Lt Schwartz, she left her shipmates behind. As she walked away she could hear their words of encouragement and good luck wishes. She never looked back.

Hannah let her flashlight lead her to the part of the cavern where the walls appeared to have some footholds. Above she could see a ledge of sorts. There seemed to be some indirect sunlight coming through but she could not make out its source.

She debated for a moment whether she should leave the pack behind or not. In the end she opted to take it. Pulling on a pair of gloves she made some last minute adjustment before starting her vertical ascent.

It had really bothered her when the first officer insisted that every away team member received a thorough education in search and rescue techniques. He wanted them to know how to climb the old fashion way with ropes, carbines, harnesses, pitons, and the rest of the antiquated gear. Now all she wanted to do was give him a big kiss.

"Like the man said, up!"

She checked her equipment and adjusted the harness. Uncoiling the rope she began her ascent.

At first it was not very hard. She found good hand and foot holds. Her years of being a Guardian had prepared her for this. She was making sufficient progress when she decided to drive her first anchor into wall. Once that task was completed she attached her rope to a solid belay anchor and then proceeded upward. Using an ascender Hannah pulled out just enough rope to make her next move.

Carefully scaling the wall she spotted the place for her next anchor. Once she had established that, she would repel back to the first anchor, detach it, and climb up again to the second anchor, slowly repeating this process until she made it to her goal.

She had thought about free climbing the face of the cavern but had ruled it out. Part of the climb would have to be aided it was just too treacherous. It might have been a hell of a lot faster but it was not safe and she could not risk getting hurt.

The special disrupter became useful when the cave wall became almost vertical and very smooth. She fired it at close distance and it formed small-elongated seam.

"Beats the hell out of using a hammer," she muttered to herself as she wedged a cam into the crack.

Time passed as she slowly made her way up. Funny, the ledge had not seemed all that high up when she began.

The further up she climbed, the harder and more metallic the walls became. Finding a safe grip got increasingly harder. It slowed her down to have to use the phaser to blast holes in an unforgiving surface. Whatever the metal was, it was the most unyielding material she had ever come across.

Her head ached and she felt the muscles in the back of her neck and shoulders begin to throb from tilting her head back so much. The flickering light from her flashlight revealed that she was trembling from exhaustion.

An aftershock made her cling to the face of the cave. It was as if she were trying to will herself to be one with the rock. Debris bounced off the helmet as a shower of small rocks and gravel hit her as the earth shook. It only lasted very briefly. A frustrated whimper escaped her lips as she pressed on.

When she had to pull the disrupter out and blast against the wall again, she was on the brink on giving up. Pieces of metal scattered over her face and she chastised herself for not taking more precautions.

She holstered the disrupter and was reaching for the hole she had made when a sound from above made her flinch and look up.

The light from above disappeared temporarily and then a large object hurled towards her. She could hear it more than she could see it.

She did not think of the consequences to herself. She let go of her vicelike grip of the wall. By doing so she was able to kick off and swing out.

The object hit her body hard and she instinctively grabbed on to it.

To her amazement the object was warm and definitely alive.

"Damn!" she heard a male voice exhale. "What the …"

Strong hands had gripped her harness immediately. Hannah reached out and tried to hold him with one arm as she belayed herself and braced for impact.

She was in pain and out of breath but she couldn’t let go.

"Hold on!" They hit the face of the wall. "Ah!"

The pain was staggering.

With her left arm she held her passenger while her right arm belayed their fall.

"Can you get a foot hold?" she demanded.

"I think so."

"Then do it!"

The young ensign struggled trying to get a foothold into the cliff so that some of his weight would not hang on his rescuer.

"Good."

"Do you see the karabiner with the rope attached to my harness on my left?" Hannah asked.

"What’s a carbine?"

"A snap link? A metallic thing that’s shaped like a ‘D’?"

"Yes."

"Slowly unhook it, uncoil the rope, tie it around your waist."

The young man flinched.

"I’ll fall!"

"You’ll fall if you don’t do it. Come on. Try!"

With one hand gripping the harness, the young ensign reached for the snap link.

"That’s it. Just pass me that ‘D’ ring and don’t move until I tell you."

Slowly Hannah tied herself off and made sure that the anchor was still holding. Their combined weight had almost been too much for the device.

"Now tie it around your waist. That’s it. Good."

She quickly attached him to her harness using the snap link.

Hannah worked quickly. The entire procedure was awkward.

"Are you right handed or left handed?"

"What’s that got to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question - right or left?"

"Right!"

"Now, instead of gripping me I want you to reach out and grab a hold of that rock face. Understood?"

The shaken ensign only nodded. Reaching out he was able to stabilise himself against the rock’s face. He could feel the woman doing something with the rope.

"All right. I’m going to fix you a seat of sorts out of the rope. Then I’m going to tie you in. Have you every done any climbing like this before?"

"No."

"Just my luck. A virgin. Okay, just do as I say."

It took Hannah several minuets but she successfully secured the young ensign.

"Are there … more of you up there? Do they know we’re down here … tell me …" she gasped from the effort, her flashlight flickered over a blonde young man.

"Yes, they know you’re in the vicinity but not your exact location," he said breathlessly.

The pain Hannah was feeling was becoming unbearable. If she did not start moving soon she would not be able to move at all.

"Are there Guardians up there?"

"Yes. Look, Lt Peters saw the readings I took and knew my location before I …"

"Peter’s is above? Thank God." She closed her eyes in relief. Peters. He was a resourceful man who never gave up.

" All right, what’s your name?"

"Brovskij."

"Blake. All right, Ski, now that the introductions are over, here is the plan. Can you make out that ledge above us?"

"Yes."

"That’s where you and I are headed," Hannah said as she began to move to the ensign’s side.

"I’ll go first. You’ll move when I tell you, how I tell you. Got it?"

"Got it," Brovskij said. "You saved my life."

"So it seems," she said through clenched teeth as she began her ascent once again this time with a companion. "I expect you to return the favour.

*****

Eliana Montgomery rose from Janeway’s desk and rubbed her aching neck. She had huddled over the computer far too long. Her eyes were tired and she felt the by now so familiar headache begin to stir again.

She walked towards the replicator when a hail interrupted her steps.

"Ambassador J’Aoh is requesting to speak with you, Captain," the ensign manning the ops station informed her over the comm link. "Should we break radio silence?"

"Yes, Ensign. Patch the ambassador through Voyager’s ready room," Montgomery said and quickly fetched a large glass of water from the replicator. What she really wanted was another cup of coffee but knew it would only cause her more discomfort in the long run.

"Ambassador," she greeted the serious man gazing back at her from the work console on Janeway’s desk.

"Captain Montgomery," he returned politely. "The statistics are coming in from the latest quake so we have some idea of the extent of it."

"Go on," the captain said and sipped her water, sure that the numbers would be discouraging.

"It’s bad," the ambassador stated as she had anticipated. "Two smaller cities have sustained serious damage and they are completely cut off from the rescue workers. The only way to get in there is by air … or walking."

"What about my first officer? Any word from him?"

"Yes. They witnessed the devastation from the air. They are at the EOC now, assisting the local military in their efforts. My understanding is that Commander Toriello intends to cut to the chase with the officials from now on."

Montgomery smirked against the rim of the glass. She had other pressing matters to attend to but she would have given anything to witness her first officer in action.

"I wish him luck," she smiled sardonically at the ambassador. "Or should I say - my condolences to the prime minister?"

Ambassador J’Aoh shook his head.

"I’m sure Commander Toriello and Commander Chakotay are up for the task. They seem made from the same mould. However, I need you to come to the surface as soon as you can, Captain. I have arranged an impromptu audience for you with the Emperor and his son."

Montgomery frowned.

"How soon can they see me?" she asked.

"The old Emperor’s strength is limited and most of his duties are delegated to his son these days. Still he insisted to meet the famous Captain Montgomery. You are a legend my dear."

She huffed.

"Honestly Captain, he was appalled to realise that his world is in such a dire state. I had to use unconventional methods to reach him. The prime minister has successfully managed to block the door on me when I have tried to go through official channels."

"Good job, Ambassador," Montgomery commended. "If you can let me have one hour to prepare, I can brief the Emperor on all the latest findings and bring enough facts to demonstrate what we are witnessing is no act of nature. Does he realise that the royal palace is in danger of being destroyed?"

"Yes, I warned him myself."

There was no way the palace would remain intact when the big one hit. A large park near the waterfront surrounded it just where the rivers ran into the sea.

Montgomery paused to ponder for a moment. Was that the intent? Was someone out to destroy not only the seat of government but also the Emperor himself?

"How did he respond to you warning, Ambassador?"

"He understood my concerns but reassured me that nothing would happen to him or the palace. It seems that the structure has survived numerous catastrophes in the past. Hurricanes, earthquakes…"

"Yes, all act of nature my friend. This is no act of nature. This is man up to no good."

If she was going to be successful she knew that she had to convince the old man to evacuate his family and staff from there immediately.

"All right, forget what I said earlier. Make it thirty minutes," she nodded towards the screen. "I’ll brief Janeway. She is more than capable of handling the situation up here."

"Thirty minutes then" the ambassador confirmed.

Montgomery emptied the glass and set it down firmly on the desk.

"Thirty minutes."

*****

The climb to the ledge had been gruelling. Some inner strength drove her on.

The young ensign had turned out to be a surprise as well. Although he had never climbed like this before he was a natural athlete and a quick learner. She had come to admire Brovskij. With only a makeshift harness he had he climbed up behind her doing exactly what she told him to do. Soon the two had found a rhythm, which made the climb much smoother. There even were a couple of times that he had to belay her when fatigue had caused her to lose her footing.

The two had finally reached the ledge. Both were exhausted.

"How’s it going Ski?" Hannah asked as she rested against the wall of the cliff.

"Nothing to it, Blake," he smiled as he joined her.

Slowly the two caught their breaths. Where the hell was their help?

"Brovskij! Can you hear me?" A call echoed through the cavern

"That’s Peters! Peters! Can you hear me?" Hannah yelled.

"Blake? Blake!"

"We’re over here!" yelled Brovskij.

Just above them lights began to appear.

"I see you. Stay where you are and we’ll get rope to you. I assume neither of you would mind a lift?"

"Lieutenant, we’ve got injured below."

"Hang in there, Blake. We’ve got you covered. Help is on the way."

"Hurry, Pete. The rest of the team is hurt. Schwartz is dying."

"Got it," Peters’ addressed the other crewmembers behind him. "Get the rest of the equipment in here at once. Notify the shuttle we’ve found the missing away team."

"Pete, you’re going to have to do this the old fashion way. None of our equipment is working properly."

"Thanks for the heads up." The lieutenant proceeded to give orders above them. "I want a rope down there now! Start setting up the riggings. Let’s move it, people."

In moments Peters repelled to their position.

"I won’t even ask how you two hooked up I’m just damn glad you’re both still alive. Where are the others, Blake?"

"Below us, east about 50 meters. The lieutenant is seriously injured. The others all suffer from fractures, at least two possible concussions and internal damage. We tried to hail the surface but the minerals in these rocks are some type of metal that makes communication impossible."

"I agree. Worse stuff I’ve ever seen."

Two ropes dropped to their position. Lt Peters and another of the Guardians set down on the ledge.

"Okay, Blake, let’s get you topside," Peters stated.

"No, listen to me, Pete. Let me go back down with you. I can lead you to the others."

"Blake, you’re in no shape to be descending into this hole again. I need you on top in case something goes wrong. Come on, you’re one of our best."

"You don’t understand. Rhyssa is down there."

"I know, Hannah," he said quietly as he helped her gently to her feet. "We’ll take good care of her, I promise, but I need you up top. That’s where you’ll do her the most good."

Hannah bit her lip but obeyed. She staggered forward and hooked in.

"All set?"

"All set."

"You know the drill, let the folks up top pull you. You just walk the walk. As soon as you get topside inspect the riggings and make sure there are no mistakes. We have a couple of newbies along."

"Well, if they’re anything like Ski here, we’re lucky."

"Yes, we are. How about you, Brovskij? Ready for a lift?"

"Sir, I’ll do what ever you need me to do."

"I appreciate that, Ensign. What I need if your brawn if you’re up to it."

"Count on me, sir. I’ll do whatever it takes."

"Good. Have you ever done this manoeuvre before?"

"He’s new to it, Pete, but he catches on quick," Hannah offered. "Just follow my lead, Ski. Good luck, Pete."

"Okay, folks, nice and slow. Bring Blake up first, then Brovskij."

Slowly Hannah walked up the face of the cavern to the top where her fellow shipmates and the folks from Voyager gave her a warm reception. Next came Brovskij.

Slowly she checked each of the riggings making sure that every knot was secure appropriately anchored into place. Quickly, she and her other two shipmates began working on a series of pulleys. It was the only way they would get the litters up. Once that was completed T’Pol descended into the cavern to assist Peters. Ensign Mercier had gone above surface to relay a message to Paris.

The team had then assembled a litter from one of the pack. It was quite ingenious. Two parts attached together quickly, securely forming a basket of sorts. The material was of an alloy unfamiliar to the Voyager crew. They quickly attached the ropes and lowered it.

"Have you got water?" Hannah asked.

"Yes, plenty’" replied Lt Carlson

"Then secure some on the litter. Beside medical care they need water the most."

"No problem."

Quietly Hannah slid to the ground and rested against a rock.

"You okay?" Brovskij asked quietly.

"I want to go down again."

"I heard that. I guess it’s better to send the others, they are in great shape, you’re not."

Hannah sighed.

"Don’t remind me," she said grudgingly. "It’s just … my friend Rhyssa is down there and I …"

The young man smiled as if he understood and cautiously took her hand.

"She’ll understand," he assured her. "Leaving an injured crewmate behind in order to get help is hard. To leave a friend is even harder."

"Yes."

They sat in silence for a while. Hannah realised that she knew nothing of this young man. It had only registered in her mind moments ago that he must be from that other ship, the one that had so mysteriously turned up from the Alpha Quadrant.

"Thank you," she muttered. "I may have saved your neck when you fell … but you saved mine by helping me climb."

He grinned, looking very boyish.

"Then I guess we’re even, Ensign."

"I guess."

J’Tal, the third member of the Excellence came over to Hannah.

"They have the lieutenant and are ready for us to bring him up."

"Let’s do it then."

Slowly the combined crews worked together to raise the stretcher. In time their efforts produced the unconscious body of Lt Schwartz.

Ensign Mercier had returned with medical supplies and equipment. Quickly Hannah reached for the equipment and began primary survey.

"I don’t believe this! This damn rock is still interfering with the readings!"

"Is he stable enough for transport?" J’Tal asked abruptly.

"How the hell do I know? All I know is if we leave him here any longer he’ll die."

"All right, let’s move him out and get him onboard the Delta Flyer. Blake, you need to go with him."

Hannah’s head snapped up.

"What?"

"They should you in flight but if they have to fly him on the shuttle then you are his only hope for survival. Now get going."

Hannah knew what J’Tal had said was true but it did not help. She followed the stretcher up to the surface. Lt Carlton tapped his comm badge.

"Carlton to the Delta Flyer. Two to beam up and then relay to Voyager sickbay."

"Two? But …" she began but then felt the shimmering sensation of a transporter beam.

She got a short, almost indistinguishable view of a shuttle and a blonde human man before another transporter beam lock onto to her and sent her molecules to her destination.

"Welcome, Ensign," a slightly bald man in a Starfleet medical uniform greeted her when she rematerialised in a strange room.

"I take it this is the sickbay," she managed faintly, still huddled over Lt Schwartz’ unconscious body that had ended up on a bio bed.

"Correct," the man said. "I’m the Doctor and you’re onboard the Federation Starship Voyager."

"I’m Hannah Blake," she muttered. "I’m not the one in need of medical attention, though."

"I think you are, but first things first," the Doctor said and began scanning Lt Schwartz. "He is not in great shape but nothing I can’t handle."

"I take it our transporters are still down?" Hannah asked rhetorically and glanced around the room.

"That’s right. From what I understand, your communication array is up and running and so is your short-range sensors. Everything else is undergoing repairs."

"We received a very brief information about this ship and … you’re really from home, aren’t you?" she asked tentatively.

"Yes. We’re travelling this Quadrant just like you did, trying to get home."

The concept of trying to get home was so long ago that Hannah had forgotten how it felt. She vaguely remembered the hard times when they had struggled to stay alive against hostile aliens and an overpowering illness that claimed so many of her colleagues and friends. After they had taken the decision to stay she had blocked out the painful memories but being here with this man in a familiar uniform, although more modern than she remembered, brought so much of the old pain back.

"Are you all right, Ensign?" The Doctor asked, eyeing her carefully. "You’re quite pale."

"I’m fine, Doctor."

"Hm. Please take a seat over there," he pointed towards another bio bed. "I won’t be long. The lieutenant’s injuries are serious but lucky for him, easy to heal."

Hannah walked over to the bio bed when the doors hissed open. She glanced up and saw her captain walk into the sickbay.

"Captain," Hannah exhaled and regarded her commanding officer, relief flooding her.

"Ensign Blake," Montgomery greeted her. "I was on my way to transporter room one when I heard the good news. You had us all worried. How are you feeling, Hannah?"

The younger woman bit her lip, feeling utterly stupid for letting circumstances affect her so much.

"It was … bad, ma’am," she confessed.

Montgomery walked up to her and cupped Hannah’s cheek. This did not surprise the ensign; her captain was a tactile person.

"You look like hell, Ensign," the captain stated softly. "Let the good Doctor take care of you, I’m sure …"

The sound of the transporter beam interrupted her and a body rematerialised on bio bed next to Hannah and Montgomery.

"Rhyssa!" Hannah exclaimed, nudging her captain to the side without realising it. "Are you all right?"

She leaned over her dust-covered friend, anxiously looking for signs of consciousness. To her relief her friend opened her eyes and looked bemused at her.

"You scared me half to death," Rhyssa accused hoarsely.

"What do you mean?" Hannah smiled between tears.

"When Peters and his gang had hauled me up through that hole, I expected you to be there. Then Peters said that you had been beamed to some strange sickbay and … Well, if it hadn’t been for that nice young man, Brovskij, I would have gone berserk!"

Hannah had to laugh, immediately regretting it when the pain from her collarbone stabbed her.

"He’s a nice guy," she concurred. "I’m fine, just a minor fracture and lots of bruises."

The Doctor came up next to them, moving the medical scanner over Rhyssa. The dark haired woman looked up at him, awaiting his diagnosis.

"Three broken ribs, broken wrists and four broken fingers, a mild concussion and a large amount of bruises," he sighed and turned to Montgomery. "Since Mr Paris normally is my part time nurse, may I suggest that some of your medical staff is beamed over to assist me, Captain? I anticipate that the last three of the away team has similar injuries."

"Of course, Doctor," Montgomery said. "I’ll give the order immediately."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t see you, Captain," Rhyssa said, looking pleased to see her commanding officer.

"That’s all right, Ensign. Just get better, that’s an order."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Make sure Blake is seen to as well. We all know her distaste for medical procedures," Montgomery smirked.

Rhyssa grinned and nodded.

Montgomery went over to the other bio bed and briefly touched Lt Schwartz’ shoulder. Then she turned around and left sickbay after nodding briefly.

Hannah gazed down at Rhyssa, the relief of seeing her friend out of harms way.

"I’m sorry," she offered with a weak voice.

"For what?" Rhyssa asked surprised.

"For being difficult down there."

"Ah, don’t worry about it. You did great. You saved that Brovskij guy and got us out, didn’t you?"

Hannah swallowed hard but nodded reluctantly.

"I was so scared," she muttered.

"So was I. Shall we make a pact?"

"A pact?"

"Let’s not do that again anytime soon?"

Hannah had to smile at the funny look on Rhyssa’s face.

"Deal."

*****

Seven of Nine leaned closer, her eyes darting over the computer screen as she tried to process the information.

Double-checking it, something she normally never did, to verify her startling findings, she then tapped her comm badge.

"Seven of Nine to Captain Janeway."

"Janeway here. Go ahead."

"Report to astrometrics," Seven requested absentmindedly, her thoughts focusing on the data in front of her.

"What’s up, Seven? Can you brief me over the comm link?"

"Yes, however you will want to verify my findings yourself so reporting here will save time."

"You seem awfully certain. Very well. Computer, a site to site transport to the astrometrics lab."

The transporter system delivered Janeway next to Seven and the captain looked expectantly at the blonde, a crooked smile gracing her lips.

"Yes?"

"I have managed to filter out what you would call a ‘smokescreen’ of misinformation, of data, to cover up the technology behind what is causing the earthquakes, Captain," Seven stated, clasping her hands behind her back, suddenly experiencing what she assumed was nervousness.

"What do you mean, ‘smokescreen’?" Janeway said and stepped up to the work console, putting a hand on the other woman’s smaller back. "Show me."

"Here," the ex-Borg pointed, feeling her captain’s touch and basking in it, willing her hands to remain steady. "The readings did not make sense so I used a Borg encrypted decoding algorithm and by examining one strand of data at a time I managed to isolate the disturbance. It is a cleverly disguised programming that works like a cloaking device, in a manner of speaking."

The captain regarded the data flickering over the screen. Her frown, as she kept reading and comparing the information, grew deeper by the second.

"Who ever came up with this knows what they’re doing," Janeway muttered.

"Let me show you what else caught my interest," Seven explained and punched in new commands. "I managed to trace the signal. I can pinpoint it to a location with an accuracy of five hundred square metres."

"You know where this originates from?"

"Yes, Captain. This is not all. I have proof that this is indeed no accident or unforeseen technological catastrophe."

"Well, we were fairly certain about that, Seven."

"Yes, I have recorded evidence that puts this into a whole new perspective of the powers behind it."

Janeway leaned against the console and crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes flashed a singing grey as she regarded her astrometrics officer closely.

Seven put her mesh-covered left hand over the computer screen as to safeguard the information. She knew Janeway would recognise the severity of her findings.

"The equipment used to re-route the water and by doing so, causing the impending disaster, is not indigenous to the planet. The signal it omits shows that it is alien."

Janeway stiffened, stepping closer to Seven.

"Alien? Are you sure?"

"Yes. That is not all. I have reason to believe it is Protectorate technology."

*****

Continued in The Guardians - part 5

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