Paris sat on the window ledge and stared out over the drenched greenery below.  "Doesn't it ever stop raining?" he mumbled to himself as he shivered, drenched in the morning showers after he had run out to try and salvage some of the shuttle.

Seven frowned moodily.  She still had that haunted look in her eyes.  All those young students voices screaming in her mind and she could do nothing to stop it.  She hadn't moved from her chair since before he had left and he must have spent a good two or three hours away.  "The skies weep," she whispered sadly.

Tom blinked.  She had been acting funny ever since they got here...no even before when they were on Voyager.  Something was changing in Seven.  "Seven, what you saw was just an illusion," he said gently.
 

"I'm sure no one was killed here.  Why don't you go and get some fresh air?"

Seven scowled.  "Unlikely," she said sarcastically.  "I'm surprised any of us can breathe with all this precipitation."  She stared off at the wall across from her.

Tom sighed.  "Seven, you're getting stir crazy.  I want you to go and take a walk.  You're acting strange."

She gazed coldly at him.  "Maybe I am tired of this place."  His eye softened and she sighed, standing.  "I will do as you recommend.  I will return shortly."

Tom nodded.  "Take your time, Sev."

She left before he could say anything.  The stone halls held the cold in making the temple chilly.  She could hear drips of water falling to the stone floor below her and a cold breeze whispered through the hall.  She looked down the hall where she had gone the previous day.  Shivering, she decided not to go back...those memories were too chilling.  So she wandered down another hallway, large pillars standing on either side of her.  Oddly, there were no rooms.  Only the long hall.  It didn't take her long to travel, and finally the path forked, it's right way winding up a staircase and it's left spiraling downward.  Leeeffft.  She gripped her phaser and whirled around.  "Who is there?" she said into the quiet, only getting an echo in response.  She stood there, the seconds passing away into minutes, before she finally decided she was hearing things.  Putting away the phaser, she chose the left staircase.  It got darker as she decended, but being who she was, the dark didn't bother her.  She was Borg.  To fear the dark would be inefficient.  When the staircase finally ended she was in a chamber with very few windows that lined the walls almost at ceiling level.  The room was quite dark, but she could see enough to manuever without hurting herself.  It seemed largely emtpy as she walked forward, until finally she bumped something.  She looked down and gasped, jumping back.  Immediately Jehara's face came back to mind, smiling despite the pain she was in.  Seven shook her head, unnerved.  "It is an illusion," she told herself aloud.  She exhaled and moved past the little stone table below her.  It was quiet, nothing but the sound of her heels clicking against the floor.  And then the sound of something rolling.  She stopped and squinted, trying to make out in the dark what it was she had kicked.  Kneeling down, she picked up the cylindrical object and examined it.  It was very dirty and dusty, much like everything in this temple.  It must have been here for hundreds of years.  Scanning the device, she concluded that it was a weapon.  She pointed the end of it away from her and pressed the fire button.  Suddenly a purple beam of light shot from it's end, extending about two to three feet ahead of her.  There was something hypnotic about it's hum, and familiar.  Holding it up she stared into the beam for a moment, getting lost in memories.  Her memories?

"Master!" she screamed as they drug her onto their ship.  But it was no good.  He couldn't hear her.  None of the master's heard.  They had all been sedated by the Dark Ones and now their students were being taken away.  Her mind raced.  Why were they doing this?  They had never attacked the Light Ones before.  Why now?  She groaned as she was slammed into the wall of a cell.  One of the Dark Ones stood outside her cell, hefting her lightsabre in his hand.  His sneer made her stand up angrilly and she almost lashed out before remembering that she was behind a force field.  "Why?" she said simply.

He laughed and left her there.  She sank down to her pallet and stared into the cell across from her.  "Nethan?" she asked, standing.

He got up.  "Nizana.  Can you believe this?" he said nervously.  He was a young one...only fourteen.

She swallowed.  "Nethan, you must not let yourself be afraid.  Fear is of the Darkside.  There is no emotion, only serenity."

The young padawan ran his fingers through his black hair and nodded.  "I will not fear," he said bravely.  "I wish I had made a lightsabre.  I bet if I could have helped the other padawan's fight them off we could have won."

She smiled at his readiness to help.  He would make a great Jedi one day.  If they made it through this.  "I'll bet we would have," she agreed, rewarded with a bright smile.  A pang went through her, almost as if she could forsee his death.  She turned her head before he could see her tears.  She would save him if she could.

Seven shook her head.  Jedi?  Padawan?  Whose memories are these?  She sifted through the memories of all the people assimilated by the Borg while she was part of the collective.  There was no Nizana that she could remember.  Seven frowned and went to lay the lightsabre back, but hesitated.  Something in her didn't want to leave it here.  But that was ridiculous.  Against a phaser this weapon would be clumsy in the hands of someone untrained in it's use.  Again, she tried to lay it down.  But she couldn't force herself to lay it down.  Rolling her eyes she stood, holding it as she returned to where Paris was.

Janeway frowned, hands on her hips.  "Scan for debris," she commanded.

"Aye," Kim said, complying.  "No debris."

She sighed and paced.  "Well, we have no choice but to backtrack their path."

Master Jinn, who stood nearby, appeared to be thinking.  "Captain," he said in his quiet voice.  "I believe I can help you, if you would like."

Janeway smiled.  "Of course, Master Jinn.  Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated."

He returned her smile.  "Then I shall do my best to aide you.  For now, backtrack.  When we cross a place they have been I might be able to pick up on emotions that might have been left behind.  I can use that to track where they might have gone.  It might be quicker than trying to find them planet by planet, system by system."

Janeway nodded her agreement.  "Ensign Monroe, you heard the man.  Set a backtrack course."

"Aye, Capatain."

Chapter 5 - Seek The Ways Of The Force

Master Yoda sat within the solitude of the Council Chamber with only one of his former padawans as company.  Mace Windu, tall and muscular, sat beside his small master, listening as the old master talked raspily.  "Sense you the terrible imbalance?" Yoda asked calmly.

Mace Windu stretched forth the Force and concentrated.  "I do, Master.  The Republic is in for some trying times, I think."

Yoda nodded gravely.  "Think it as well, I do.  Something stirs within the dark, I think.  Something terrible."

Mace frowned.  He could sense the shadows stirring as well as his master, and he could sense the little master's unrest.  Yoda was calm and collected, but wary.  "Someone approaches," he said just as the doors slid open.  Padawan Merin walked calmly into the room, the picture of a young apprentice trying to uphold the esteemed appearance of Jedi as she graced the presense of Council members.  Behind her was a young and pale woman with long black hair.  "Masters Yoda and Windu," Merin said calmly, confidently.  "I bed pardon for this interruption, Sir's, but I have brought to you Mistress Dana Nerajj.  She came to us a short time ago claiming to have discovered that she could manipulate the Force.  Master Tlehren examined her and sent me to deliver her to you."

Yoda and Windu exchanged looks.  "You are dismissed, Merin," Windu said.  "We will talk with Mistress Nerajj."  Merin bowed and left in respectful silence.  Windu blinked and looked the young girl over, taking in her dirty flightsuit.  "Come to me, my child," he said softly.

She meekly stepped forward.  "I...I found out I could sense things and even move things.  I knew that the best place for me would be with Jedi.  I did everything I could to get here to you."

Mace nodded, closing his eyes and reaching out to her.  There was power there, most certainly.  A great deal.  And a dark place that he could not penetrate.  He then looked to Yoda.  "She has a great potential.  Touch her mind, Master."

Yoda's approach was different.  Instead of closing his eyes, he gazed directly into hers, reaching out and sensing.  His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing about what might have bothered him.  Mace knew his master well.  Yoda had found something that troubled him...possibly that dark area.  The young girl was nervous.  Finally, Yoda spoke up.  "Yes, much power.  What think you, Mace?"

Mace swallowed and looked to her.  "It will be a hard life, Dana.  Even when you think it's rough, it will get rougher still.  There will be no rewards, no remorse or regrets.  You must have a most serious mind and devotion to duty.  Do you think this is the path for you?"

Dana shook a little, but held herself firmly.  "I believe I can, Master," she said as bravely as she could.

Windu looked to Yoda.  Yoda gazed at her in thought and without tearing his eyes away, said, "Then a Jedi you will be.  Old you are, but much potential you have.  Discus, the Council will, whom shall teach you the ways of the Force.  Learn like most Jedi you cannot, but we cannot sacrifice good learning for the sake of time.  Your path will be tougher than most, Dana.  Understand you this?"

She took a long breath and nodded.  "I believe this is the right path, Master.  I will not fail."

Yoda nodded.  "Brave you are, but braver you must become."

Then, by a wordless command, the doors slid open again and Merin was back.  "Masters?" she said softly.

"Young Dana needs a suitable room and a guide to show her around the temple.  Please, see these things are done for her,"  Windu said in his calm and commanding way.  Merin bowed and turned, Dana following behind.  When the door shut, Windu turned to Yoda.  "Something troubles you, my Master?" he inquired.

Yoda took a breath.  "Something strange about her there is."

"Do you think we should have turned her away?" Mace asked, concerned.

Yoda shook his head.  "Here, the safest place is.  Truth will surface.  Always does."

Mace leaned back in his chair, satisfied in his masters wisdom.

Dana smiled politely and set her bag down as Merin showed her her room.  "If you need anything, just use this," she said, indicating a communications device on a desk nearby.  "Later, you can use the Force when you learn how.  For breakfast, lunch and dinner, a chime will go off in your room that sounds like this."  She pressed a button and a small bell rang.  "Until you learn to communicate through the Force.  We eat in the Grand Hall, which I will show you tomorrow.  I will come and get you for breakfast, we'll eat and then I will show you the rest of the temple and introduce you to some of the other padawans.  My name is Merin and I will help you if you need me."

Dana looked around.  "Thank you, Merin."

"Will you be all right if I leave you for the night?"

Dana nodded.  "I'll be fine.  Thank you again."

Merin nodded.  She was a straight to the point type of girl.  "You're welcome.  I hope you enjoy it here.  Goodnight and get some rest.  You will need it."

"Goodnight," Dana said.  "I hope we can be friends."  She smiled.

Merin looked at her for a moment.  She thought she saw something in those eyes...but no.  It couldn't have been anything bad.  She smiled back and left.  Dana picked her bag up and laid it on the bed, opening it and taking her clothes out.  She looked around her room, sensing the old feelings left behind in this room by old padawans and Jedi...old fears and pressures and midnight passions stolen by young Jedi who snuck away in the night.  She could have laughed.  But instead she hid her amusement within her, burying it in that dark place that Yoda had almost penetrated.  She would have to be more careful around him.  She inhaled deeply and flopped down on the bed, burying herself in the comfort and reaching out to get to know the other padawans in her own way.  Which ones could she use?  Which masters could she use?  All would be answered by morning's light.

Chapter 6 - The Unexpected Guest

Qui-Gon Jinn stood in the quiet of his quarters, watching the stars go by as they searched for the missing crewmemebers.  The duties of being a Jedi never stopped.
"Tired, Master?" Obi-Wan said as he entered his masters quarters, automatically sensing Jinn's fatigue.

Qui-Gon smiled and turned.  "A little, Padawan.  I sense troubled times ahead and I guess I would have liked a break before."

Obi-Wan smiled.  "I think I could use a break too.  The people of this ship almost have no experiance with the Force.  They certainly never knew what the Force was, and those who can touch it claim these abilities are inherent of their race."

Jinn shrugged.  "Alot can happen over centuries.  It is entirely possible that in their part of the universe Force potential has been segragated into certain races.  None of the humans aboard seem to be able to touch it, while the Vulcans, I believe they are called, can to a certain degree.  Ensign Vorek, for example, can channel telepathy through the touching of the face.  I'm certain with time he could learn that such a link is not necessary.  But enough talk of that.  What have you been up to this day, young Padawan?"

Obi-Wan sank down into a chair.  "I went to the holodeck again.  B'Elanna and Chakotay are simply fascinated with my use of the lightsabre.  B'Elanna is becoming quite good at using one.  The holodeck can recreate them quite well.  She's a fast learner and I suspect she can touch the Force, if only a tiny bit."

Jinn nodded.  "Perhaps the ability isn't entirely bled out of all of the races of the Alpha Quadrant."  Suddenly his eyes narrowed.

"Master?" Obi-Wan said, sensing immediately that Qui-Gon had found something.

"Hold on," he said absently, concentrating on what he felt.  "I think I found them."  He went to the panel on the wall and hit the comm button.  "Jinn to Janeway," he said in his quiet voice.  "I believe I have found a path to your missing crewmembers.  I'm sensing a sudden panic here, as if something happened quickly.  Are there any planets nearby?"

"There are five," Janeway responded.

"I suggest you scan them, Captain.  Perhaps they have crashed upon the surface of one of these planets."

"Thank you, Master Jinn.  I will take your advice.  Janeway out."

Jinn took a breath and reached out again, exploring the residual feelings deeper.  Something had definately happened here.

Seven frowned, stepping outside the temple and into the sunshine.  "What is your purpose out here, Ensign Paris?" she asked.  She wasn't feeling too well and the brightness made her dizzy.

Tom stretched and looked around at the bright green grass and weeping willow trees.  "Getting some sunshine, Sev.  Doesn't it feel great to be outside after all that rain?"

Seven squinted and examined her surroundings.  "It is bright out here," she observed.

Tom laughed.  "Sev, lighten up.  You've been so down."

She exhaled forcefully.  She was down.  She hated this place with each passing moment and just wanted to return to Voyager, back to the company of the Doctor.  He could help her feel better again.  He always made her feel good.  "I will return to full social capacity once we return to Voyager."

Tom smiled and opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a broken up, "Voyager to away team.  Please respond."

Tom hit his comm badge.  "Paris here.  Captain, you don't know how good it is to hear your voice.  The shuttle hit some turbulance and the gravity of this planet pulled his down before we could even think about what was happening.  Tuvok and Seven have been injured."  He looked to Seven who listened with a look of relief on her face.

"Acknowledged," Janeway said.  "We're glad we found you.  We'll beam you three directly to sickbay.  Welcome home.  Janeway out."

Tom smiled at Seven as they disappeared into the transporter beam.  When they reappeared, they were in sickbay, Tuvok lying on the floor.  The Doctor went straight to the injured Vulcan and Seven hopped onto a biobed to wait for her arm to be tended.  Captain Janeway and a stranger then entered sickbay.  "Welcome back, Tom, Seven," she said happily.  She looked down to Tuvok, who was unconscious.  "How is he, Doc?" she asked.

The Doctor frowned.  "He sustained a few injuries which are now infected, but he'll make it."

Janeway smiled and went to Tom and Seven.  "How are you two feeling?"

Tom smiled.  "I feel good, Captain.  Certainly glad to be home.  I'm not so sure Seven is feeling so great."

Seven sighed.  "I will be fine," she said.  She looked at the floor tiredly then raised her eyes to see the stranger reguarding her with interest.  "May I assist you?" she asked, uncomfortable with his gaze.

"I apologize.  But there's something about you," he said, staring intently into her eyes.

Tom looked questioningly at the Captain.  Janeway shook her head.  "I'm sorry.  Tom, Seven, this is Qui-Gon Jinn.  He was very instrumental in finding you with his telepathic talents.  Master Jinn, this is Seven of Nine and Ensign Tom Paris, two of the finest people I've served with."

The stranger bowed his head in greeting.  "I didn't mean to startle you, Seven of Nine, but if you would allow me to touch your mind, I believe I can confirm a suspicion."

Seven looked uncomfortably to Janeway who nodded reassuringly.  Sighing, she nodded.  "You may do what you need."

Jinn closed his eyes and for a time it didn't seem like he was doing anything.  But slowly she began to feel his mind enter hers.  She could feel his wisdom and serenity, the strength of mind and body.  It was quite a calming experiance.  Then his blue eyes opened.  "Seven, it appears you are not alone.  You have great potential.  You could be a very powerful Jedi if trained.  But you're not alone.  It seems that...your mind has been inhabited."  He appeared just as confused as she felt.

"Inhabited?" she asked, concerned.  All eyes were on the stranger, waiting for his explanation, even the Doc.

Jinn nodded.  "I've never seen anything like this, but I can sense the two of you as if you were two separate people.  She's inside you, hiding, but she's there."

Seven blinked.  She didn't know what to think or how to respond.  But ever since she had sat down and looked into that fountain she hadn't felt completely like herself.  "Nizana," she whispered, then looked quizzically at the stranger.

He nodded.  "Yes.  She told me her name was Nizana.  Did you know about her?"

Seven shook her head.  "No, but I have been having strange hallucinations.  People were calling me Nizana."

Jinn bit his lip and looked at Seven, in thought.  "Captain," he said.  "I believe there is more going on here than meets the eye.  If it would be possible, I would like you to stay at Coruscant for a short time until the Council can investigate further."

Janeway looked at Seven uncertainly, then to Jinn.  "I'll do whatever I can to see that Seven is restored to her normal self."

Jinn nodded gravely and looked into Seven's concerned blue eyes.  "We'll get to the bottom of this, Seven," he assured her.  All she could do was nod, shocked at the prospect of having someone else in her mind.