Copyright 2001, Susan S. McCrackin  Reprinted with permission of the author.

Counselor Hawkins almost fell out her chair. She grabbed her head, pulling it to her knees, the intensity of the thoughts flooding into her mind almost causing her to black out. She felt hands on her, trying to help her and heard words of concern. It took her minutes to get her words out.

"We’re too late."

Ketaria shot out of her chair, grabbing to her husband, the fear and pain she was feeling apparent. Concentrating hard, she listened carefully, trying to hear more of the voice, but there was nothing. She looked up at her husband, aware that everyone in the room was staring at her.

"They have her."

The body froze and the black eyes narrowed. Anger filled her. As the mouth tightened, the muscles in her face started to tremble. She pulled her body up straight and squared her shoulders. Then, she turned and left the small chamber.

Admiral Paris answered the computer, accepting the incoming message.

"Sir, the child has been kidnapped."

He stood, "What?"

"Sir, the child has been kidnapped."

"Do you know who got her?"

"No, sir. We did not recognize any of the men."

Men. He looked at his companion. "Have either group claimed responsibility?"

"No, it just happened. There hasn’t been time."

"Can you get a trace on her?"

"No, sir. We tried that immediately. She…she’s not showing up on any of our scans."

He closed his eyes tightly. Of course not. She had been taught to hide herself from scans. She could even maintain her ‘invisibility’ during sleep. He knew because he had tested her. She was very good. 

He thought carefully. He could not tell anyone about her ability. The only thing he could do was what he would do if she did not have such an ability, "Keep searching. They must have some type of block on her. Try modulating scan frequencies and let me know the minute you find anything." He walked from around his desk, "Let’s go."

"Where?"

"To go see Kathryn Janeway."

"I don’t think I should go with you."

"Why not?"

"I don’t think she would want to see me right now."

"She…."

"No. I’m not going." He turned to walk toward the door, "Besides, I might be more useful to you if no one knows about our…alliance."

Admiral Paris nodded at him and stuck his hand out, "Thank you for talking to me. We will talk again soon."

He nodded and watched the Admiral as he quickly left. Then he sighed deeply, thinking. After what the Admiral had just told him, he thought he understood why things had happened the way they had. More importantly, he thought he knew why the child had been kidnapped. 

He did not know where the child would be, but he thought he knew how to find out. Maybe there was a way to put things right.

Harry Kim could not take his eyes off of her. He still could not believe that the person standing off to herself, watching the people in the room was Seven. They had been talking. Seven had listened. She had not spoken to anyone since they had entered this room over an hour ago. Motalli had done most of the talking, explaining how they had rescued her and excitedly telling the visitors about his people and their anticipated alliance with the Borg. Neelix did not have to kick him under the table this time. By now, he knew there was nothing he would say that they wanted to hear. Harry had watched as Motalli had walked up to Seven a number of times, usually touching her in some way. He had watched as they exchanged looks, and he felt a coldness at the pit of his stomach. The last time Motalli had walked up to her, he had casually draped his arm around her waist, and Harry had had to look down at the table. It was hard to watch them together.

Finally, he stood, picking up his mug and walked over to the old fashion pot they used to brew coffee. He refilled his cup and casually approached Seven.

"It really is good to see you, Seven."

She leveled her black eyes at him, "And you."

"I never believed you were dead." When she did not answer, he continued, "I have to admit, I would never have recognized you. You really look different."

"That is the idea."

He forced a grin at her, "Well, it worked." 

She looked away.

"Seven?"

She turned back to face him, waiting on him to continue.

"I am really sorry about the Doctor."

Her expression almost broke. He watched as she fought to maintain her control. He saw her mouth open as she started to speak to him, then watched as her eyes opened wide, and her hand quickly flew to her head. Oddly, for the first time, he noticed the band of gold on her finger, and he found himself focusing on it, even as he reached for her, "What’s wrong?"

She shook her head, her face confused, "I don’t know. I thought I heard something – a voice. A voice so loud it almost hurt."

"Is it still there?"

She shook her head, "No, it is gone now." Her eyes searched in front of her, her confusion and her fear showing, "I do not understand what that was."

He reached up and took her hand, finding that he was staring at the band of gold circling her finger. He glanced back at Motalli, wondering if he was the reason that she wore the gold ring. His fingers rubbed it and he realized the gold was welded to her exoskeleton. The air went out of him as he suddenly knew for whom she wore the ring.

Before he could say anything, Lane came running in, "Motalli!" His eyes went toward Seven, even as he handed a PADD to his friend. 

Harry felt Seven’s body go stiff and her hand tighten in his, causing him to grimace. He knew whatever was on that PADD was not good news.

"Seven," Motalli’s voice was thick with grief, "they’ve taken Kathryn B’Elanna."

She stared at him, not fully comprehending what he was telling her. She watched as he moved quickly toward her.

"We are going to get her," his voice was forceful as he reached to grasp her by the shoulders. Without taking his eyes off of hers, he yelled back at his friend, "Lane, ready the ship. We are taking off." He practically pushed Harry out of the way to pull her to him, "We are going to get her. I promise you, Seven, we are going to get her."

Harry watched the two of them, not certain of what he was feeling. Slowly, he backed away, then turned to look at Neelix and Supala. Suddenly, he heard Motalli speak behind him.

"The three of you need to leave the ship."

Harry turned to him quickly, "No. We are going with you."

"No, you…"

"We don’t have time to argue. Besides, Kathryn B’Elanna knows us. We can help you better than your own people can." Harry gave Seven a hard look, "You know we can help you."

She nodded, "Yes. You will come with us." She looked at Motalli, "We can trust them. They will help us."

Harry watched as Motalli reluctantly nodded at her, then left to prepare to take off. He looked at Seven, giving her a confident smile. She only stared at him before walking out of the room. He looked down at the floor, remembering her words.

We. Us. She had said we and us. She was part of them now.

Supala saw the look on his face and wanted to cry. Shaking herself, she forced herself to look away from him. Kathryn B’Elanna was the most important thing right now. She had to get a message to Kahkar. She needed to find a place where she could concentrate. Seeing a small bathroom, she quickly rose and entered it, closing the door behind her. Sitting on the floor of the dark room, she closed her eyes, working to send her message, ignoring the pain that quickly started in the back of her head.

Seven stepped into her alcove, ordering the computer to set it to maximum. Closing her eyes, she fully opened her mind, knowing he would be there as soon as she did.

"Hello, Seven of Nine."

"Is she safe?"

"She is safe. She is sleeping like a baby. She was not harmed."

"I am coming to you."

"I knew you would. I am taking care of her for you. I will always take care of her for you."

"Yes."

"You are my first priority, Seven of Nine. That makes Kathryn B’Elanna very important to me."

"Thank you." She hesitated, "Where are you?"

He laughed, "Seven of Nine, you know I cannot tell you that."

"Then, how can I come to you?"

"You will have to be alone. Then, I will tell you where I am."

"There is a shuttle I can take."

"I know." He had seen the shuttle in her thoughts. He was almost disappointed when she did not express surprise that he had known about it.

"When should I take it?"

"When you are about two hours from Earth, use the shuttle to escape the ship you are on now. Open your mind to me at that time, and I will tell you how to find me." She did not respond and he added, "It is good the shuttle is built for speed. You will need it."

"My thoughts are your thoughts."

"Yes, Seven of Nine. For now and always." He waited, but she did not respond. He continued, "I look forward to seeing you soon."

He left her mind, and she stepped out of the alcove. She had hoped that Kahkar would have managed to get Kathryn B’Elanna, but now she knew she could not trust anyone else to take care of her daughter. She stepped to the console and checked the status of the ship, noting that they were traveling at maximum impulse. Within the next hour, she would take the shuttle and leave this ship. There was not much time to prepare. She had to have a plan. They would never let her leave on her own. Reluctantly, she realized she would have to find a way to incapacitate the people on the ship. It would be the only way she would be able to escape the ship without a fight.

Quickly, her hands started working the console.

Kathryn Janeway handed Dr. Zimmerman a cup of coffee, "Can I get you anything else? Are you comfortable?" She looked at his pale face with concern.

"No, I don’t want anything else. I’m fine. I just need to hear about my granddaughter."

She looked at the faces around her. As soon as they had heard, Chakotay and Tuvok and his family had come to her quarters. Dr. E’Nalto had brought Dr. Zimmerman and Counselor Troi as soon as she had checked them out. Other than being sore at being phaser shot, they had both been unhurt. The phasers had been set on stun. Troi’s head hurt worse from Kathryn B’Elanna’s mental screams than did her side. Before she could respond to Dr. Zimmerman, the computer announced Admiral Paris at the door. She quickly moved to allow him in.

As soon as he entered, he looked at the faces focusing on him, "I’m sorry. I don’t know anything new." He walked up to Counselor Troi and Dr. Zimmerman, "Are you two okay?" They both nodded at him. Addressing Counselor Troi, he asked, "do you have any idea who took her?"

"No, there wasn’t time." She shook her head, "It happened so quickly…I did not realize…."

"No," he reached to put his hand softly on her shoulder, "it wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known. If anyone is to blame here, it’s me. I should have had security around her at all times. I just never thought…." His voice choked off.

The room was silent. No one knew what to say next. Janeway took a breath to speak, but, before she could say anything, the computer announced a visitor. Frowning, she crossed to the door, activating it. Stunned, she stood looking at the person in the doorway, unable to speak.

"May I come in?"

Nodding, she stammered her response, "Of course." 

As he walked in, Admiral Paris stood, "Leader Orvis."

"Admiral." He turned to the two women who followed him in, "I think you know Counselor Hawkins. This is my assistant, Elena Nitrue." As she nodded to the people in the room, he introduced them to her. Once he had finished, he looked at Admiral Paris and Kathryn Janeway, "I think it is time we talked and each of us tell the other what we know." He noticed the skeptical look on Janeway’s face, "I realize neither of you have much reason to trust anyone on the leadership right now. I understand. So, as a show of faith, I will start. Please sit down." He used his hand to indicate all should take a seat. Once everyone was seated, he continued, "Counselors Troi and Hawkins, I invite you to monitor my thoughts. If you find a falsehood in anything I say, I ask you to announce it to these people immediately.

"Let me begin by saying, our first priority from this point forward will be the child."

Kahkar Omarahn sent the signal, then looked at the people in the room with him, "The message has gone to Otoro. He is still on the space station, so he should go to Kathryn immediately." He looked at the stricken face of the Doctor, "We are going to get your daughter. We will get her and leave regardless of whether we are able to rescue anyone else or not. I have Eloca and Rowin running scans." He glanced down, "She is still hiding from our scans, but I have them trying to focus in on the choker she is wearing. Unfortunately," he looked at his wife, "she seems to have disabled it." When he heard the Doctor groan, he quickly added, "Regardless, the choker still emits an electronic field signature. It is very faint. Our cloaking device is interfering with our being able to identify and lock onto its signature. They are working to counteract the interference. Meloka is working with them on this effort. I want them to try to find a way to identify the signal without turning off the cloaking device." He looked around at the faces listening to him, "If they cannot, we will decloak." He stepped closer to them, "Before we do that, I must make preparations. I will go to my lab now."

The Doctor and Tom rose, almost simultaneously, "I’ll go with you." They looked at each other. B’Elanna thought that if things were not so serious, it would have been almost comical.

Kahkar put up his hand, "No, I need to be alone." He looked at his wife, "Can you continue to try to reach Kathryn B’Elanna?"

"Yes."

The Doctor turned to face her, "I’ll help."

She gave him a reluctant shake of her head, "No, Doctor. Please understand. I need to put all of my attention into reaching her. If I can get through to her, maybe I can figure out where she is."

He nodded his head, closing his eyes and feeling helpless.

Miral stood, "I can be of assistance on the bridge. I can man the weapons." She gave Kahkar a firm and determined look. He almost smiled at her as he nodded his agreement.

"I’ll take over the helm and let Eloca and Rowin continue to work on the scans." Tom stepped toward Kahkar as he spoke. He, too, received a nod of agreement.

The Doctor looked at B’Elanna, "I’ll keep To’mas if you want to help with engineering."

She quickly kissed her son’s forehead and handed him to the Doctor. He watched as they all left the living quarters, intent on their individual missions. He looked at the sleeping child in his arms and closed his eyes. 

Kathryn B’Elanna. He saw her in his memories, hoping desperately that his memories of her would not be all he would have left. As it was all he had left of her mother.

Kahkar stood in his lab, staring at the console, wondering about the action that he was about to take. Once he did this, there would be no turning back. For some reason though, he knew in his heart, this was the right thing to do. He walked up to the console, placing the device in the communication port and activated it, waiting.

The incoming message flashed, and he triggered the accept control, watching as the screen on the wall in front of him flashed.

The black eyes focused on him, the face frozen in anger, "I have been waiting for you to contact me."

Supala stretched herself out on the floor of the bathroom, holding her head. She had not been able to do it. It had hurt too much. Frustrated and disappointed, she rose to her feet, shakily walking out into the room, grateful that both Harry and Neelix seemed too distracted to pay her much attention. She slid into the closest chair and worked to relax her body, hoping that doing so would help diminish her headache.

Harry was pacing, and she could see how angry he was. She could understand. She felt angry, also. They had come so far to find Seven. They had given up so much to find her. And now, she knew, they were about to lose her again. She knew Seven would sacrifice herself to save her child. The only question in her mind was how to keep her from doing so. 

She looked up at Neelix, "Maybe we should go to the bridge and see what is happening."

He gave her a quizzical look, but nodded his agreement, standing as he did, "I think you’re right. Ensign Kim?"

Harry turned to look at him, "It isn’t Ensign anymore, Neelix." But he walked toward the door and left the room. They quickly followed.

When they finally stepped onto the small bridge, Motalli turned to them, frowning, "What are you doing here? You should have stayed where we left you."

"We didn’t come this far to be left out of the fight. We can help." Harry was working to keep his voice as level as possible. Before Motalli could respond, the door opened behind him, and Seven walked onto the bridge.

She was wearing the headband again, hiding her face and, more importantly, her expression. Motalli noticed immediately that she was wearing all of her armaments again. He sighed, his lips pressing together in a tight smile. 

"Let them help, Motalli." She used her hand to indicate that they should take empty seats on the bridge. Once they were seated, she walked up to him, placing her hand on his arm. She leaned forward and placed her cheek softly against his, whispering in his ear, "Thank you." She pressed her cheek to his, then turned and walked away. 

He looked after her, a puzzled smile coming to his face as he watched her limp toward the console closest to the door. For a second, he was distracted by Harry’s obvious jealousy, before looking at Seven to give her a private wink. As soon as he saw her eyes, he stepped forward, his look turning to concern, "Seven?"

She quickly worked the controls before looking at him, "I am sorry, Motalli."

He stepped forward, only to see lights flash before him and to be stopped by a force field, "What?"

Harry shot out of his seat, hands out and watched as the lights of the force field flashed when he touched them, "Seven, don’t. Let us help you. Don’t do this by yourself."

"I do not have another choice, Harry."

"Yes you do, Seven. You can chose to stay with us."

"That is not an option, Harry."

"What do you mean?"

She did not answer him, but continued to work the console. Lane turned to Motalli, "I’ve lost helm control. All of ship’s controls have been rerouted to that console."

Motalli looked at her, "Seven, please. What are you doing?"

She walked up to him, standing inches from his face, "I am sorry, Motalli. I do not have a choice. If I do not go to him, he will use Kathryn B’Elanna. I cannot allow that."

"What makes you think he won’t use her even if you go to him."

She did not answer him. She just stared at him.

Suddenly, he understood, "No." He groaned, "No, Seven, please, no."

"Thank you for everything you have done for me. The computer has been instructed to deactivate the force field in four hours." She turned to leave.

"Seven, no. Don’t go." Motalli yelled after her, "Please, Seven. I love you. Don’t leave me."

She stopped, her head lowering slightly. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to him and walked to stand as close to him as the force field would allow, "I…I also love you, Motalli. That is another reason I must leave."

"I don’t understand."

"You would not be safe with me in your life." She raised her hand to his, the force field flashing between their palms. She looked at him, and he could see the sadness and regret in her eyes. Quickly, she turned and walked away. He screamed her name, but she never turned back.

Motalli screamed again and hit the force field, causing the bridge to flash from the contact. Neelix and Harry looked at each other, and Supala dropped her head in her hands, pulling at her hair.

He leaned over the chair, putting his hands down on the arms, letting his face get closer to the man he now had trapped in the chair.

"I suggest you tell me everything I want to know."

"I want a lawyer."

He laughed, "You don’t get it, do you? I am not the law. I am not going to be concerned about your rights. I am beyond worrying about any repercussions of my actions. I do not care. Do you understand me? 

"I. Do. Not. Care.

"I am only worried about one thing, and you know what that is. Kathryn B’Elanna Hansen. You know where she is. Tell me."

"If I do, I’ll die."

He smiled at Andrew, watching the sweat pop out on the man’s forehead. He could smell the man’s fear. He leaned closer, "If you don’t, you will die. The only difference is between right this minute or later." He watched the man’s eyes, "If you tell me what I want to know, you might have time to escape. Think about it, Andrew. You tell me what I want to know, and I go after Kathryn B’Elanna. That means I will be a distraction that might just allow you to disappear." He reached under his jacket and pulled out a phaser, placing it under the man’s chin, "And it you don’t tell me…." 

Andrew looked into the eyes of the man and did not doubt that he would use the phaser. He started talking.

Tayroe Orvis walked around the room. The people in the room were silent, knowing that this man was in full control of the situation. Kathryn Janeway watched him carefully, feeling for the first time since she had arrived at the space station, that someone with real power was finally on her side. Still, she guarded her optimism. She had to hear what he said.

He did not think he had ever been so frightened by anything he had ever heard. Not even the scary stories of his childhood had scared him as much as what he had just heard.

A genetic Borg. 

It was the stuff of nightmares. He closed his eyes, remembering the face in Elena’s report and wondered how someone that young and innocent and beautiful could be so potentially dangerous. He was only certain of one thing -- the child would never be safe here, especially not with as much uncertainty as there was with the leadership of the Federation. 

They had all agreed on another thing. While they had a strong suspicion of who had been compromised, there was not enough evidence to accuse anyone. At least, not based on what they knew right now. But, he could not allow himself to be distracted by that. There was only one focus for him and for everyone in this room at this moment. They had to get the child back and get her to safety – for her sake and for the sake of humanity.

He turned to address the group, "We follow Captain Janeway’s original plan, with a few minor modifications."

She set the controls of the shuttle on automatic, opened her mind and waited on him.

"You are right on time, Seven of Nine."

"Where are you?"

He laughed, "I am anxious for you to be here, also. I am sending you my coordinates."

She concentrated, entering the coordinates into the computer as soon as she received them. Once finished, she said, "I will be there within the hour."

"Your daughter and I are waiting on you."

She did not respond, and felt him leave her mind. She studied the controls, making certain everything was running at peak efficiency. Then, she stood.

She tightened the straps on the brace, making certain it was securely fastened. She flexed the leg to make certain the adjustments still allowed her full control of her movements. Taking off her weapons, one at a time, she checked the settings, making certain she knew which were set to stun and which were set to kill. Then, she checked the vest controls, setting the vest to the maximum modulating frequency. She pulled a microfilament from her vest pocket and leaned toward the small mirror, making modest adjustments to the implant over her eyes. She had been working to determine the maximum adjustment of her implants so they would coordinate best with the vest. As soon as she was satisfied, she affixed the headband, making certain the cloth around her head was fixed perfectly. 

She straightened and took a deep breath. Testing her body, feeling through herself, she knew she was ready. She closed her eyes.

I am coming for you, Kathryn B’Elanna. Mama is coming for you.

She opened her eyes, looking down at her hand, her eyes focused on the ring around her finger. Thinking about the tendency of humans to have great faith in an afterlife, she wondered if it was possible that such a thing could exist.

If it did, she wondered if he would be there waiting for them.

Otoro walked in, suddenly feeling as if he had come late to the party. He looked around, noticing for the first time there were people he did not know in the room. He cut his eyes quickly to Captain Janeway.

"Have you brought us a message from Kahkar?"

He glanced at the strangers, not certain how to respond.

"It’s okay, Otoro. They are friends. What has Kahkar said? Has he found Kathryn B’Elanna?"

Still a little concerned about the new people in the room, he shook his head, "They are trying. He expects to identify where she is being held soon. He wants you to go ahead with your plan." He again glanced over at the people he did not recognize, "Is that…going to be difficult?"

She looked away from him, distracted, but shook her head, "No, I don’t think so." Then, she looked to Admiral Paris and Leader Orvis, a smile coming over her face, "Actually, I think it might have just gotten easier.

"I have been thinking about your plan, Leader Orvis. I appreciate the risk you are putting yourself in, but I think I have another idea."

He looked at her, then turned his head to Counselor Hawkins. He watched as a smile came over her face. Then, he saw Elena as she watched her friend and turned to give him a knowing look. He worked the corner of his mouth for a moment, then gave Kathryn Janeway his full attention.

He settled back in the shuttle seat, looking at the pilot. It was amazing what someone would do for a few credits. He expected to be at his destination soon. He allowed himself a small laugh, thinking about Andrew. Once the man had started talking, there had been no stopping him. Not only had Andrew told him where to find Kathryn B’Elanna, he had told him how best to get there and how to gain entrance to the facility without detection. Andrew had even set him up with this pilot. In exchange, he had promised to prove such a distraction that Andrew would be able to escape. And, he had agreed to let him live.

It had been a fair trade.

He knew Andrew would not give him away. He had made it clear that he was not interested in Andrew and that it would be in Andrew’s best interest to run as hard and as fast as he could. He had even given him credits to do so.

He had never considered himself someone who could resort to violence. But, he had no doubt, he was capable of killing this man. The child had better be safe. He thought about the child’s mother.

She was still alive. He could not believe it. She had not been killed in the explosion of the transport ship. The child was being used to lure her back. He had to get the child and make things right for her. Once he found the child, he would find her. 

The pilot disrupted his thoughts, "It’s time to get into the cargo container. I’ll be transporting it down in about ten minutes."

"Thank you. I trust you will be making a rather quick departure?"

The man grinned at him, "Absolutely. I never stick around for the fireworks."

He laughed as he left to hide into the cargo container. Before now, he never had, either.