Chapter 2
bringing him out of his mid-slumber.
�What is it, Doctor?� he asked somewhat irritably, barely able to suppress a yawn.
�Well!� the Emergency Medical Hologram humphed in indignation. �I do realize, of course, that you have been working very hard lately and neglecting to allot yourself the needed amount of sleep � for which I have become tired of reprimanding you,� (Chakotay groaned wearily), �however, I thought you would be a little more enthusiastic to find out the results of captain Janeway�s analyses.�
�I thought you already had all the results, Doctor.�
�There was something that I missed during the initial check, Commander. I believe, you might be interested to see this.�
�I�ll be right there, Doctor. Chakotay out.� He pushed himself up from the bed, whose soft comfort, almost inaccessible to him lately, was drawing him in like a powerful magnet. It was his first free night in a long time. They were finally able to get the main systems back on-line. Tomorrow they could leave this planet and its hospitable yet, somehow, suspicious inhabitants, and tonight he could finally get some sleep � or, at least, he hoped to. �Well, obviously, sleep is going to have to wait.� Chakotay sighed, throwing a last longing look toward his bed, and headed for the sickbay.
* * *
�Now, do you mind repeating all that in plain English, Doctor?� Chakotay asked in his calm, quiet voice.
The EMH sighed, rolling his eyes in exasperation. �Very well, Commander, I�ll try again � for the non-initiated ones.� Chakotay raised his brow disapprovingly, but said nothing. �As I have told you before, I did not notice anything unusual in the Captain�s scans at first � just a little hyperactivity in her limbic system, which is quite normal for people in love.� The EMH turned to his computer display, missing the look of agony that flashed in the dark eyes of his listener at this remark.
�That was what I reported to you,� the EMH continued, enhancing the picture on the screen. �However, something prompted me to take another look, and, when I did, it seemed to me that the pattern of hyperactivity was a bit unusual. So I made a few modifications in the scan,� the doctor entered the final calculations. �There. See this little ring around her hypothalamic region?� Chakotay nodded, narrowing his eyes on the computer screen. �The molecules in this ring comprise a very potent drug. Frankly, I�ve never seen anything like it before. These molecules attach themselves to the brain�s emotional center and��
�Wait a minute,� Chakotay interrupted him with a wave of his hand, �are you saying that the Captain has been drugged?�
�For quite some time,� the EMH nodded in confirmation. �The level of the drug in her system is rather high. But, quite frankly, it is amazing that I was able to discover the drug at all. It is so incredibly well masked. Naturally, it took some of my brilliant ingenuity to��
�Doctor, please!� Chakotay cut him off impatiently. Somehow, he was finding it very difficult to appreciate the hologram�s ever exhaustive self-praise when Kathryn�s life was in danger. �Is this drug dangerous?� he asked, ignoring the expression of utter indignation on the doctor�s face.
�Any drug is dangerous in large doses,� the EMH grumbled in a hurt voice. �This particular one is making that part of her brain work in overdrive. It might lead to eventual exhaustion and decay��
�Can you reverse the process?� Chakotay asked sharply.
�With the right medication in the hands of a professional � anything is possible.�
�Very well, Doctor.� He tapped his comm badge. �Chakotay to the Bridge.�
�Yes, Commander?� Harry�s voice responded.
�Can you locate the Captain?�
�Uhm � I believe, she�s inside that two-story house by the mountainside,� came a hesitant response.
�You believe, Ensign? Can you be a little more certain?�
�I�m sorry, Sir,� Harry was obviously getting nervous, his voice trembling in agitation, �but there�s a lot of interference from the structure.�
Chakotay sighed. �Well, can you at least get a lock on her?�
The comm badge went silent for what seemed like an eternity, then Harry�s voice came through, gloomily confirming that which he dreaded. �I�m sorry, Commander. The interference is too great ��
Chakotay jerked his head in vexation and turned to the EMH. �Give me the medicine, Doctor.�
The latter stared at him in disbelief. �Forgive me, Commander, but did I mislead you in some way when I said that a professional must handle this?�
He chose to ignore the sarcasm in the hologram�s voice and calmly took the mobile emitter from the table, handing it to the doctor. �I have no time to argue with you right now,� he explained. �If you wish to join the away team, go ahead.�
The EMH barely overcame his astonishment at the Commander�s reaction or, rather, the lack of it. He expected a bit more of a resistance to the idea of him leaving the ship. As far as he could remember, he always had to struggle for that privilege. The Commander was obviously desperate. The EMH shrugged and took his mobile emitter from the outstretched hand.