Ice. It had to be an ice planet. Ice everywhere, as far as the eye could see. It
always had to be ice. They couldn�t just stumble across some pleasure planet that wasn�t
the home to hostile aliens or physic bacteria. Captain Katherine Janeway nearly laughed
out loud at her own thoughts and realized how long it had been since they had some
worthwhile shore leave.
�A penny for your thoughts?� Chakotay, her first officer asked. Janeway turned to
him a smile still having its way with her lips.
�I was just thinking that all the uninhabitable planets we come across always have
to be covered in ice.�
�Being covered in ice makes a planet pretty uninhabitable.� Chakotay replied, his
ever present smile as present as ever. �The Delta Quadrant species have pretty much
colonized any planet worth colonizing. �Trying to find us some shore leave?�
�We�re about due for some aren�t we?�
�My coffee supply is running low.� Janeway growled. �Mr. Paris, any lifesigns?�
�Not a single one. We have one dead ice cube.� Janeway could have done without
the sarcasm and yet it was just along her lines of thought.
�Well then, is there anything at all that we can use off that planet?� Janeway
rubbed the spot just above her eyebrow that always seemed to make the throbbing pain of
a headache dull just a little.
�Water.� the response was flat and unemotional, typical from Tuvok but not Tom
Paris. �Lots and lots of water.�
�Any reason at all we should go down?� Chakotay desired anything that would
give them some cause for excitement.
�Not a one.�
�Set a course Mr. Paris, out of this system.� Janeway sat back in her chair, feeling
a large amount of disappointment but saving some for the next ball of frozen water they
came across.
�Wait.� The voice came from nowhere and everywhere. Janeway glanced around,
rising from her captain�s chair.
�Who are you?�
�I am Lohn. Who are you?�
�My name is Captain Katherine Janeway of the U.S.S. Voyager.�
�I have been aware of your ship for some time. I wish you found my planet a little
more interesting.�
�There seemed to be little of value. Was there something we missed?�
�I have carefully hidden away most of my assets.�
�We would certainly be willing to trade for anything we need.�
�I am aware of your standard operating procedure. However, I do not know if you
are someone I wish to trade with. Therefore, I have devised a test.�
�What sort of test?� Janeway asked carefully.
�I will chose six members of your crew to survive one week on my planet. You
may bring anything with you but once you land on the planet contact must be severed.
Your ship may remain in orbit, but they must not interfere.�
�How will I know who has been chosen?�
�You have a conference room. Go there now, and those who have been chosen
will be there. I will also reveal myself to you at that time.� The strange, alien voice faded
away into nothingness. Janeway exchanged a glance with her first officer who looked
appropriately worried. He rose and followed her towards the conference room, but as
soon as she went through the threshold the doors snapped shut behind her. He stepped
towards the door, expecting it to open with its usual rush of air, but nothing happened.
�I don�t like this.� He said, as he returned to his chair. �I don�t like this at all.�
Janeway was not expecting the five people she found waiting for her in her
conference room. There was the first surprise of finding she was the sixth. There was also
the Doctor, with his holoemitter and Tom and B�Elanna. A young ensign, whose name
didn�t come to Janeway�s mind readily, sat in a chair looking totally confused. Her
shoulder length red hair was damp and for all appearances it seemed like she had been
taken straight from the shower. Whoever their mysterious guest was, he had been decent
enough to clothe her in her uniform.
Then there was Icheb. He sat in a chair next to the young ensign, and was jerking
uncontrollably. As soon as he recovered himself, the Doctor immediately strode to his
side, pulling out the medkit for the conference room.
�What happened?� Janeway demanded, kneeling beside the convulsing boy.
�He was in the middle of a regeneration cycle when we were all brought here. A
Borg drone can consciously exit a regeneration cycle, but an outside disruption can do a
great deal of harm.� The Doctor loaded his hypospray and pressed the medical device to
Icheb�s neck. Within seconds his seizures began to lessen and finally stopped all together.
�What...?� he croaked.
�Sit still.� The Doctor ordered. �You�ve had a traumatic shock to your system.�
He turned to the captain. �And just what is the explanation for all of this?�
�I believe I can explain.� The six crewmember of Voyager whirled to look at the
seventh occupant of the room. He wasn�t very tall but he was slender, and for all intents
and purposes was human. He wore a green shirt and a pair of blue slacks. There was
nothing particularly astounding about him yet the atmosphere around him was charged
with some unknown force. �I am the owner of the planet and I am the one who brought
you to the conference room so dramatically. You five and your captain will have to
survive one week on my planet to prove what kind of people you are. I will be an
observer, but I will not interfere and neither will your ship. I believe I have enough of a
selection from your crew to get the full spectrum of responses.�
�Exactly what will we be doing during this week on the planet?� B�Elanna asked,
careful to keep her tone neutral. If this being could transport them in the blink of an eye
without her feeling a thing, she did not want to offend him.
�I have laid out a course that you will follow. Basically you will be going from one
point to another. With some luck and cooperation you will all survive and in a week we
will be here again making some kind of trade agreement. You have two hours to gather
whatever you need. At the end of the two hours, I will take you and any supplies in this
room to the planet. Pack quickly.� With that, he was gone. Janeway rested her hands on
the table and took deep breaths. Thing were moving much quicker than she would have
liked but she saw no other way that events could have occurred.
�You heard the man.� the captain said to the five other crewmembers. �You each
know what you need. I suggest you get going.� Janeway remained in the conference room
while the others filed out. As soon as everyone had left, Chakotay came storming in.
�Who is going?� He instantly demanded.
�Icheb, Tom, B�Elanna, the Doctor, an ensign whose name I cannot remember,
and myself.� Janeway held up a hand to stop the protests she knew would be coming.
�Before you say anything, this is the aliens choice. I don�t think he wants to hurt us, he
just wants to see how well we�re going to do on his planet. I need you to make sure
everything on the ship stays in working order.�
�I still don�t like this.�
�I know. Just think of all the work you can get done while I�m gone.� Janeway
gave her first officer a large smile, hoping to smooth things over. To be honest, she was
looking forward to the adventure, even if it was on another ice planet. �Now if you�ll
excuse me, I have to pack.�
�I�m glad we both got chosen to go. I couldn�t stand being a way from you for a
whole week.� Tom said to B�Elanna as he packed his bag. He made sure to pack heavy
duty clothing for his half-Klingon wife who would certainly need it. Her blood chemistry
made it hard for her to survive in the bitter cold.
�Do you really think he would chose you over me?� B�Elanna asked, the unspoken
challenge obvious to Tom who knew her well.
�Actually, I was thinking he would chose you. I�d be up here, sleeping alone while
you were trekking over hill and dale in the snow and the wind...�
�Well we�re both going so we both get to trek over �hill and dale� so pack well.�
B�Elanna moved to her husband and wrapped her arms around him, feeling definitly
pleased when he reciprocated. �And then I won�t have to worry about you sleeping
alone.�
�I wouldn�t have been sleeping alone exactly,� Tom added, much to the chagrin of
his wife. She eyed him carefully and said,
�Oh?� She began to pull away, ready to smash her elbow into his face.
�Harry would have come over.� The elbow went into his stomach instead. �What
was that for?�
�I think you know.� B�Elanna tousled his hair playfully. �Now finish packing.�
�I do not like you going down alone.� Seven usually didn�t have that much
emotion in her voice but when she was displeased it was obvious.
�I�m not going alone. The captain and the doctor and three others will be there.�
Icheb protested. He had been going through the storage containers in the cargo bay
looking for the heavy winter clothing he would need. His Brunali blood was somewhat
resistant to the cold, but according to his scans the planet was colder than what most
species could stand.
�How will you regenerate?� Seven then asked. �I doubt you will be able to haul a
regeneration chamber through those blizzards.�
�I�ve been working on a portable one.� Icheb pulled a small circular device from
his pocket and showed it to his mentor. �I made it from a cortical stimulator. It can
activate and run my regeneration chamber. If worst comes to worst, I can always sleep.
The Doctor�s been telling me I could wean myself off my regeneration chamber if I
wanted to. He�ll be there to take care of me.�
�You should not have been chosen. You are only a child.�
�I am not a child Seven, not any more. This is an opportunity for me to go on an
away mission.� Icheb continued to pack, moving around Seven as she would not move out
of his way. �I have no choice but to go.�
�I still do not like this.�
�I�m sure the commander feels the same about the captain. Speaking of which,
perhaps this is a chance for you to...expand on your humanity.� Icheb wouldn�t meet
Seven�s gaze as he gingerly stepped around her and the subject. Most people knew about
the blooming relationship between Seven and Chakotay, but weren�t prepared to face
Seven�s wrath. Icheb thought that they were a good match, and tried to encourage it in his
own way. �The alien did not give me much time to pack. I need to get going.� Icheb
picked up the duffel bag he�d packed with supplies, pocketed his regeneration device, and
left the cargo bay. Seven watched him go, furious that she could do nothing to stop him.
However his words did give her something to think about. With the ship remaining in orbit
for the next week, astrometrics would have little to do. So would the first officer. Seven
tapped at a console located in the cargo bay. She began composing a note to commander
Chakotay, requesting his assistance on their latest project.
The conference room seemed crowded with the six crewmembers in their thick
winter clothes, their six duffel bags and three other packs filled with anything from medical
supplies to food stuffs. Neelix had been quite helpful in packing small but nutritious meals.
Given the severity of the weather, Janeway doubted that there would be any scavenging
for food. A clock counted down in one corner of the conference room viewscreen. They
had less than three minutes before their new �friend� took them away. Chakotay, Seven of
Nine and Tuvok were also there to see them off, about all they could do in the
circumstances.
�You�re sure I can�t convince you to stay?� Chakotay couldn�t help but get a few
last words in. Tuvok added his protests with the first officer�s.
�You should have at least one security officer along with you. Protocols demand
it.� Janeway shook her head but someone else answered.
�I wouldn�t allow it.� The alien was back, in the same clothing as before. �I�m
sorry commander, but I have made my decision.�
�I thought I could at least try.� Chakotay gave the alien a friendly smile.
�Understood. Captain Janeway, I will escort you down to my planet�s surface.
There, I will give you further instructions about your mission. Are you ready to go?�
Janeway nodded to her people who all picked up their bags. �Good. Here we go.� The
man made no gesture, he didn�t snap his fingers or wiggle his nose, they simply
disappeared. Chakotay sighed as he watched his captain leave, unable to contain his
feelings much longer. Seven of Nine looked similarly disturbed. Just before coming to the
conference room he had received Seven of Nine�s message and thought about it as he
headed for the conference room. Now seemed as good a time as any to discuss it.
�Seven, I got your message. I think it would be a good idea if we took this next
week to work on our...project. What did you have in mind?�
�The Doctor has suggested that I experiment with a greater diversity of nutritional
supplements. Perhaps you could...help me find new tastes to experience.�
�That sounds absolutely delightful. Where should this experiment take place?�
�I do not know. I do not have any quarters to invite you to.�
�How about the holodeck? We can try Sandrine�s, or some other restaurant. Tell
you what, why don�t you meet me in Holodeck 3 at 0800 hours? I�ll have something
worked out by then.�
�Agreed.� Seven gave the commander one of her incredibly rare smiles and the
barest hint of a blush was detectable on her cheeks. �I shall go and prepare.� Seven of
Nine practically backed out of the conference room, acting more like a young teenager
than the ex-Borg drone she was. Chakotay watched her go, enjoying how his words made
her lose most of her fluid motions. He had been totally surprised that she had chosen him
as an acceptable match, incredibly high praise considering her strict requirements. Still, it
was not something he shied from, his romantic opportunities had been few and far
between on board Voyager. Chakotay headed for the bridge as he continued his thoughts.
And just maybe, Seven would be the distraction he needed to keep from worrying about
the away team.
The away team was wishing they had worn thicker socks as they arrived on top of
nearly three feet of snow. They quickly sank down almost a foot before the snow became
ice. A dotted green line, glowing bright lime green ran off into the distance. This was not
going to be easy.
�Welcome to my world.� Contrast to the away team, the alien looked warm in his
short sleeves and slacks. The snow whirled around him but never touched him, it was as
though he had complete control of the winter weather. �You can see I�ve set a path out
for you, if you follow it you will find places to sleep about a day�s travel apart. I�ve made
this as easy as possible, captain, all you have to do is survive. Good luck.� With that, the
alien disappeared. It was as if the dimensions of space and time folded around him,
drawing him into their grasp and whisking him away.
�I suggest we work out an order to travel in. Perhaps we should tie ourselves to
one another so we don�t lose anyone.� Janeway immediately took charge, and bent to go
into her own pack for a sixty foot long rope.
�Uh, Captain, I have a suggestion.� The Doctor looked almost as out of place, as
he needed neither warm clothing nor food supplies. �I can have as much strength as I
want, and it would probably be best if I carried the majority of the supplies.�
�Thank you Doctor. That would be a big help.� Janeway tied the rope around her
waist, and handed the rest of it to Tom. �There�s not much else I need to say, we follow
the dotted line until we get to a stopping point.� Janeway waited while everyone slung
what supplies they were going to carry onto their backs and fixed the rope around their
waists. �Lets go!�
Several hours later, Janeway was tired of breaking a path through the thick snow.
Her legs were tired and the front of them were numb with the cold. She paused to catch
her breath, holding up her hand to stop the rest of the line.
�Captain, perhaps I should take the lead.� the Doctor suggested as he came up
beside her. She glanced at him, the look in her eyes telling him that she would be more
than willing to give up her place. He nodded, and tapped at his mobile emitter. �Watch
this.� As the Doctor reprogrammed, the front of his body became wedged like a snow
plow. �I believe this will be the most efficient method of travel.�
�Only if you answer a few of my questions.� Janeway began walking again, the
Doctor just a few steps ahead of her.
�Gladly.�
�Who is that young ensign?� Janeway tossed her head back to indicate the young
woman walking along behind them. �As hard as I try I cannot remember her name.�
�Her name is Iana Phillipi. She came in to sickbay last week with a sprained ankle
from playing tennis.�
�She plays tennis? I may have to get to know her a little better then.� The Doctor
rolled his eyes at the captain�s interruption and continued as if she hadn�t spoken.
�She is twenty three years old, one of those who just barely graduated from the
Academy before being assigned to Voyager.�
�She�s a little young, isn�t she?�
�Iana�s nearly a genius. She�s very intelligent. We had quite an intriguing
conversation when she came in for her ankle. She has always felt that her social skills were
lacking because of how book smart she was, but I�ve heard from other crew members that
she�s very charming once you get to know her.� Janeway considered the Doctor�s words
and took another glance back and saw that the young ensign and Icheb were lost in their
own conversation. Iana was gesturing wildly and Icheb was nodding as if he knew exactly
what she was talking about.
�It seems as though she and Icheb are getting along.� Janeway couldn�t help the
grin that spread across her face, as she hoped for a new romance within her family of crew
members. The Doctor laughed.
�According to my sources, Iana finds Icheb attractive but is too shy to say
anything to him. My guess is she has gotten over her shyness.�
�Perhaps we�ll let them have some time together, over this next week. Who
knows, maybe they�ll hit it off.�
�I�ve always enjoyed mathematics. There is always a certain solution. Its very
logical, you follow the steps and come to an answer. Science is very similar, things make
sense. Its why I�m an engineer, I guess.� Iana trudged through the snow, following the
trail that the alien had marked out and the Doctor had broken for them.
�You aspire for B�Elanna�s job?� Icheb asked. Iana laughed and shook her head.
�Hardly. If anything, I�d rather have Tom Paris�s job. I�ve always wanted to fly the
helm of a starship. I took all the classes for being a helmsman, while I was taking the
engineering courses. But there are enough qualified helmsmen on Voyager.�
�I�m sure you could talk to the captain, and maybe get the odd shift at the helm.�
At Icheb�s suggestion, Iana�s eyes went wide and her head shook back and forth almost
convulsively. �Did I say something wrong?�
�I cannot talk to the captain. When I get nervous, my brain...shuts down. Its hard
to explain. The words just don�t come. The captain would think even less of me than she
already does.�
�The captain thinks highly of all her crewmen. Why should she think less of you?�
Icheb was curious about this new girl in a way he hadn�t felt for a while. She had a bubbly
personality that seemed hidden behind layers of shyness.
�Icheb, she didn�t even know my name until the doctor told her just now.� Iana
told the young Borg man with more than a little sarcasm and disappointment in her voice.
Icheb was confused. He had analyzed her physical parameters and determined that she was
a human. How could she have known what the captain and the doctor, who were at least
thirty feet ahead of them, know what they were talking about.
�How did you know that? Can you read lips?� It was the only answer Icheb could
come up with.
�You think I�m a human don�t you?� Icheb nodded. �I�m not. At least, not all of
me is. My father�s mother was a full Betazoid and my mother�s father was a Vulcan. The
other two grandparents were both human, and their relatives had also married and bred
with telepathic species. I may have the appearance of a human but the telepathic abilities
and hearing of my grandparents�s species.� Iana explained. �Most people don�t know that
I know what they are thinking and feeling. Those who find out are never comfortable
around me again.� Iana looked down at her feet, watching her footing carefully and Icheb
realized she expected him to lose all interest in her now that he had discovered her secret.
�That�s fascinating.� Icheb said honestly. �Tell me more about yourself.� Iana
looked into Icheb�s face and knew that he wasn�t kidding. He was truly interested in her,
and as she lightly scanned his thoughts she knew that he wasn�t at all intimidated or afraid
of her abilities. Iana could sense other things as well and felt herself beginning to blush.
She hadn�t been thrilled at being chosen to begin with, but now she found she was
enjoying herself. Perhaps this week of snow and ice wouldn�t be so unbearable after all.
Seven wanted to ask someone�s advice on what to wear that night to meet with
Chakotay, but all of her usual resources were on the away mission. The Doctor would
have been her first choice, with the captain just behind him. She might have gone to Tom
or B�Elanna if she had to. Even Icheb could have been a sounding board for attire advice.
Tuvok and Harry were out of the question. Seven doubted Harry could get through the
occasion without drooling and Tuvok would no doubt find the whole situation illogical.
Now she had no one to ask but the computer who, upon having heard the question,
immediately replied with �please rephrase the question�. Further inquiries had led Seven
to believe that the computer had no fashion sense whatsoever. Finally, she had no other
choice but to contact the commander for help.
�Seven of Nine to Commander Chakotay.� She said, after she tapped her
combadge.
�I�m here Seven. What�s the matter?� Suddenly Seven felt foolish but was trapped.
�I...don�t know what to wear to dinner tonight.� She told him. A soft and throaty
chuckle echoed over her combadge.
�I�ll go through the database and find something suitable. Is that all?�
�Yes. I should get back to my duties now.�
�Okay. Chakotay out.�
�So this is for you and Seven.� Neelix grinned as he finished packing the food he
had prepared for Chakotay. Chakotay had only told him that he was having a special meal
with a lady friend but wouldn�t say who. The call though, had told him everything.
�Yes, Seven and I are having dinner on the holodeck. She wanted to experiment
with some new foods and I volunteered to help her.� There, that sounded perfectly
reasonable. Neelix wasn�t buying it. He was one of the ones who knew what was really
going on, but was sensible enough not to say anything more.
�Well then, I�m sure she�ll enjoy what we�ve put together. If you�d like, you can
look through my ship�s database, if you want to find something a little more exotic. If I
remember correctly, the Doctor also designed some dresses that would accommodate
Seven�s Borg physiology. I�m sure he has them stored in sickbay somewhere.�
�Thanks for the advice Neelix. I�m sure I�ll find the perfect outfit now.� Chakotay
smiled one last time, grabbed the colorfully wrapped package and left the mess hall. Neelix
took a moment to ponder all the relationships that were blossoming on Voyager. To be
sure, they were in unusual circumstances, but it still amazed him how well they had gotten
along over the years. There had never been enough of a conflict to cause a real problem. It
was as if everyone was making a subconscious effort to be nice to each other, because
they knew they would probably live the rest of their lives together. The
cook-ambassador-moral officer went back to his kitchen to prepare dinner for the rest of
the crew. He sure was lucky to have found Voyager, and he was glad to see that the other
Delta Quadranters that had come on board were finding the same luck he was.
The dotted line stopped at the mouth to a large cave. As glad as Janeway was to
be done for the day, she had hoped for something a little more lush. Oh well, this was a
survival mission after all, and not a vacation.
�All right people, I know its not Risa, but it�ll have to do.� Light chuckles
followed after her words, letting Janeway know that her people weren�t finding their
mission too difficult. Everyone entered the cave, and were relieved to see that it was
relatively free of snow and ice. The floor of the cave was packed dirt, still incredibly cold
to sit on but not as wet as the ground outside the cave. Without being told they spread out
and began to lay out their bedding. Janeway was pleased to note that Icheb and Iana had
continued to talk through their hike, and were now setting up their things beside one
another. Tom and B�Elanna had also found themselves a nook. That left Janeway with the
Doctor. He had been quiet for the most part that day, for which Janeway was especially
grateful.
�Neelix gave me explicit directions on how to prepare his food.� The Doctor told
her as he unpacked a few hard yellow bars. �These are the equivalent of bullion cubes.�
�What flavor?� asked Janeway, who wasn�t sure if she really wanted to know or
not.
�Leeola root stew.�
�I had to ask.�
�I�ll collect some snow, which we can melt over a fire and cook these in it. That
should give us a nice soup to slurp down. Well, for you to slurp down anyway since we
still haven�t programmed a stomach for me.�
�Continue Doctor.�
�Yes. Anyway, Neelix also entrusted me with a few of his pots and pans so I can
properly prepare his most famous recipes. If you�ll build a fire, I�ll get some snow.� The
Doctor left brandishing one of Neelix�s pots and Janeway had to stifle another laugh. The
Doctor�s sarcasm was sometimes in appropriate, but at other times it could both refreshing
and relaxing. Once he was gone though, she realized that they didn�t exactly have the
materials to build a fire. She asked for ideas.
�We could follow Starfleet�s basic idea and use our phasers to heat rocks.� Tom
suggested. �The pot can sit directly on top of them.� Having made his suggestion Tom
stood and took his tricorder to find some appropriate rocks.
�I�ve brought my own nutritional supplements so I won�t have to hinder your food
supply captain.� Icheb then said. He pulled out a large clear bag filled with small chips.
Janeway rolled her eyes at the supplements.
�Please feel free to have some soup.� she said. Honestly, she could not understand
how these Borg preferred nutritional supplements to real food. As real as Neelix�s food
was anyway.
The Doctor and Tom soon returned with their items and set about making dinner.
Within half an hour Neelix�s leeola root bullion was ready for consumption. Janeway
unpacked a set of bowls and dished out the soup. Iana received her portion and went back
to sit next to Icheb while she ate. After one sip she grimaced.
�How do those nutritional chips taste?�
�They have very little taste, to me at least. But others who have tried them have
said that they are very unappetizing.� Icheb said as he took another bite.
�Do you think they would work for my metabolism?�
�I do not think they would kill you if that�s what you mean.� Icheb thought of a
good compromise. �I will trade you a chip for a sip of that soup.�
�All right, their your taste buds.� Icheb didn�t have a chance to ask Iana what that
meant. She lifted up a spoon of the soup and held it up to his mouth even as he did the
same to her with one of his nutritional chips. They both tasted, and both swallowed hard.
�That soup is not very tasty.�
�Neither are those chips.�
�I have heard the crew complain about Neelix�s leeola root stew, but I thought it
was a taste centered to the Delta Quadrant.� Icheb shook his head in disbelief. �I am from
the Delta Quadrant, and I do not find this appetizing.� The young man was pleased to see
that Iana was giggling at his words, making her forget about the dinner they had to eat.
�You should see what Seven eats.� Icheb continued. �Its even worse.�
�I can imagine.� Iana sighed. �Sometimes though, its the company that makes the
meal.� She glanced over at her dining companion and blushed. �This meal isn�t that
awful.�
�No,� Icheb agreed. �Its not.�
Seven found that both her breathing and her heart rate were elevated as she left the
turbolift and stepped in front of the holodeck doors. According to the computer there was
already a program running and Chakotay was inside. While Seven battled with her
nervousness she straightened her dress. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, a
testimony to Chakotay�s good taste. The dress was long and flowing, colored a deep
green. It was a full length sleeve on the left side and a bare shoulder with no sleeve on the
right. It was asymmetrical and an inefficient use of material, but Seven found she liked it
anyway. Perhaps her humanity was beginning to emerge more ferociously than she
realized.
Suddenly the doors to the holodeck opened and Chakotay popped through. He
was dressed in a classy blue suit, looking both casual and dressy at the same time.
�There you are.� He said, sounding relieved. �I thought you might have gotten
cold feet.� Seven looked down at her feet, which were clothed in snappy green boots.
�My feet are not cold.�
�Its an expression, Seven. I�m just glad you made it here. Come on in.� Chakotay
led Seven into the holodeck. She glanced around the room, taking in the sights and sounds
around her.
Chakotay had programmed a twentieth century Japanese restaurant. Colorful
decorations graced the walls. Other patrons sat at tables talking quietly amongst
themselves. The tables themselves were low to the ground as was tradition, and plump
pillows waited for someone to sit on them. Chakotay took Seven of Nine to a table near
the back and pulled out the bundle he and Neelix had prepared.
�I replicated this earlier.� he said. �I doubt you�ve ever tasted anything like it.�
The bundle was opened and a tray of small rolls was revealed. �These are called
Californian rolls. Bits of cucumber and other vegetables wrapped in rice. This is soy sauce,
which you can dip them in.� Along with the food Chakotay brought out two sets of
chopsticks. �Do you know how to use these?�
�The Borg assimilated a large number of humans, many of whom ate with
chopsticks.�
�I�ll take that as a yes.� Chakotay placed the tray down between them and picked
up one of the Californian rolls with his chopsticks. Although it wasn�t his usual native
faire, he had learned how to use chopsticks at the Academy from one of his friends. The
first officer watched as his female companion struggled to hold the small wooden eating
utensils correctly. She managed to get them between her fingers, but every time she tried
to lift a piece of food she lost control and the sushi went flying. �Let me help you.� Seven
said nothing as he took her hand in his, and correctly placed the chopsticks. �Try it that
way.�
�Thank you.� With Chakotay�s help Seven was able to get the food from her tray
to her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully and swallowed.
�It is an interesting sensation.�
�I thought that was the point.�
�It was. But I was looking forward to spending some time with you as well.� Now
the truth came out. Chakotay was surprised to hear the words come from Seven. She
usually wasn�t so emotional in her statements.
�Then why don�t we forget about the cultural experience and just enjoy the
evening together.� He suggested. Seven nodded.
�I would like that.�
Icheb awoke slowly, coming out of his regeneration cycle in a bit of a daze. It
wasn�t exactly what he was used to but it certainly sufficed. The first thing he noticed as
his eyes opened was that Iana was already awake and curled up on top of her sleeping bag.
She has a sad look on her face and he moved to her side.
�What�s wrong?� He asked. She nodded towards where Tom and B�Elanna were
still sleeping. Tom had his arms around his wife and she had her head nestled into his
chest.
�He�s so protective of her.� Iana spoke so quietly that Icheb could hardly hear her.
�Even in his sleep he�s protective. He doesn�t even mind fighting with her because it
means she belongs to him.�
�You can tell that from his thoughts when he sleeps?� Now Iana smiled.
�No, that�s something I figured out from just watching them together. I�m a big
people watcher. There is so much you can learn about people from watching them interact
with their friends and family.� Iana uncurled her legs and stretched them, leading Icheb to
the conclusion that she had been sitting that way for quite some time.
�Did you get much sleep?� The others were beginning to wake
�Enough.� Was the short answer. �There is something on this planet that
is...dancing around the edge of my brain. I can�t identify it exactly, but it woke me up an
hour or so ago.�
�Have you been watching us all sleep?� Icheb asked, intrigued by what she might
have to say about his sleeping habits.
�I�ve been watching them sleep. Your regeneration cycle basically leaves you
inanimate. Not much to tell there. The Doctor doesn�t sleep either, he just turned himself
off.� As Iana talked, Janeway rose from her bed and reactivated the Doctor. The captain is
in command even when she sleeps. I heard her murmur a few �make it so�s and �do it�s in
her sleep. Very amusing. You�ve already heard my observations on the married couple.�
By this time everyone had awakened and was packing up their belongings. They would
only eat two meals a day, meaning that they would walk for a few hours before having
their morning meal. Iana and Icheb again took the positions at the end of the walking line.
�What about you? I�ve only seen you around when you come into engineering.�
�I work in astrometrics.� Icheb explained, surprised that there was someone who
didn�t know exactly who he was. �You do know I�m part Borg don�t you?�
�Yes. I have been on the ship these last six and a half years. I�ve fought the Borg. I
usually just hide away in engineering though when anything really big happens.�
�Why?�
�I don�t do well with stress. Besides, I�m one of B�Elanna�s smallest technicians
and I�m the best at getting into small spaces to fix things. But I didn�t want to talk about
me today I wanted to talk about you.�
�Okay. What else do you want to know?�
�How old are you?� That question seemed quite popular among females. �I mean,
I know you spent time in a Borg maturation chamber so you don�t really know for sure
but...� Icheb held up a hand to stop Iana�s ramble. She had warned him in earlier
conversations that she had that tendency and to stop her if she got going.
�I had someone else ask me that, and I didn�t know the answer then. I checked
with the Doctor and had him run some scans, then compare that with what we know of
Brunali physiology. His best estimate is somewhere between twenty and twenty five years
old. You?�
�Twenty three. What does it feel like to be in a regeneration chamber?�
�I have nothing to compare it with, since I don�t remember sleeping from my time
before the Borg. But I can give you an accurate description if you�d like.� Iana nodded her
head, indicating that she would indeed, like. �All I have to do is step into the regeneration
chamber and it does the rest. I become unconscious for a set number of hours. I do have
the ability to come out of my cycle early if I need to, but you saw what happened when
I�m brought out too suddenly.�
�Yes. Do you think your portable one worked well enough?� Iana grunted as she
stubbed her toe on a particularly hard drift of snow.
�I assume so. It did not feel like my normal cycle. What does sleeping feel like?�
Iana had to think about this one. It was similar to what Icheb had said, there was nothing
to compare it to but she would give as accurate a description as she could.
�I guess its like regenerating. You go unconscious for a certain number of hours,
but most species dream during that time. There is an awareness of the outside world that
often gets incorporated into the dream.�
�How so?�
�For instance, while I was in the Academy, I used music to wake myself up. I
would often be in a place in my dreams where there was music playing and wake up to
find the song I was dreaming of playing.�
�I think I understand. I have dreamed on occasion, but it was usually the result of a
telepathic species.� There was an ensuing silence as Icheb and Iana concentrated on
moving through the heavy snow. A new dotted, glowing line had appeared that morning
when they left the cave, leading them on their way.
I�d like to try something tonight, if you up to it.� Icheb had been on his own train
of thought and Iana�s words broke through a cloud of ideas and feelings. Icheb said
nothing but his eyes spoke volumes. �I might be able to make you dream, or at least allow
you to join me in mine.�
�I�d like that. How will it work?�
�I�m going to try and mind meld with you while you�re regenerating. Perhaps
when I fall asleep, you will dream my dreams.�
�It sounds like a fascinating experiment.� Icheb said, his lips pulling upward into a
smile. �I can�t wait for tonight.�
Chakotay could not stop thinking about the night before, and the dinner he had
with Seven. After their dinner they had walked along a moonlit beach until Seven needed
to regenerate. Chakotay had escorted her back to the cargo bay, and had even stood for an
hour just watching her stand unconscious. When he finally went back to his own quarters
he couldn�t sleep. He finally went to the bridge to take over his duty shift, ousting Harry
from the captain�s chair.
�Commander, aren�t you supposed to be in bed?� Harry asked.
�I thought I was the mother hen of this shift.� Chakotay replied, easily evading the
question. Unfortunately, he was speaking with a persistent young ensign.
�How did your date with Seven of Nine go?�
�It wasn�t a date, exactly. I helped her expand her culinary palate.�
�Is that what they call it these days.� Harry had relieved the other young ensign at
the OPS station and was running a systems check. Chakotay decided stronger measures
were necessary.
�What is the status of the away team?� he demanded. Harry awarded himself one
last smirk before finding out the information the first officer wanted.
�Readings are coming few and far between, but as far as I can tell they are making
good time. All five lifesigns are strong, and the Doctor�s doing well too.�
�What about engineering? How are the repairs coming?�
�Vorik reports that everything is coming along fine, and should be done before the
week is out.� Harry realized that patronizing the commander wasn�t going to earn him any
brownie points. At that point the shift changed and the other first shift officers came onto
the bridge. Most of them were replacements, with the exception of Tuvok.
�What is the status of the away team?� Tuvok asked as he took his station.
�You are certainly nosy people aren�t you?� Chakotay turned and saw that the
alien was now sitting in his usual chair.
�I prefer concerned.� Chakotay told the man, unable to keep all his bitterness out
of his voice.
�I suppose that is a valid adjective. They�re doing quite well you know. I�m
impressed.� The alien stretched and rubbed the arms of Chakotay�s chair. �This is
comfortable. I can see why you enjoy working more than one shift.� Chakotay and the
alien stared at one another, the former with disdain and the latter with nothing more than
curiosity. �Would you like to see them?�
�I thought you wouldn�t let us interfere.�
�I won�t. But that doesn�t mean we can�t enjoy a good show.� the alien man
gestured towards the viewscreen and immediately it changed from the planet�s surface to a
close up of captain Janeway making her way through the snow. Chakotay leaned back,
saying nothing, realizing that this might be his only opportunity to see his captain.
A growl echoed through the small canyon they had been walking through,
stopping everyone in their tracks.
�What was that?� Janeway drew her phaser, ready to protect her crew from
whatever had emitted that growl. The rest of the away team glanced around, everyone was
looking. They edged forward cautiously. �There it is!� From around the corner came a
large, furry, white creature with sharp, nasty looking teeth.
�Captain don�t!� Iana came forward and put her hand on Janeway�s arm. The
captain looked at the young girl in total surprise.
�And just why not?� A combination of Janeway�s sharp gaze and her harsh tones
thoroughly intimidated the ensign.
�She�s defending her children. Look.� Iana pointed to a place just behind the large
beast and when she looked closely enough, Janeway could see the two small versions of
the mother. �If we move slowly and don�t make any sudden moves, she�ll let us go by
unmolested.�
�How do you know that?� Janeway had lowered her phaser and adopted a
listening pose.
�I�m telepathic. I can sense that she�s only being protective of her children and
doesn�t really want to harm us. She�ll only attack if provoked.�
�What else can you tell? I don�t want to interfere with the local fauna if we don�t
have to.�
�The line we�re supposed to follow cuts too close to her den. We�ll have to go
around.� Janeway gathered her officers around her and moved the whole group a little
farther away for their conference. The mother was still growling at them, but she was
looking more unsure than before.
�What�s the problem?� Tom asked. He stayed close by his wife, making sure she
was warm enough. She hadn�t been enjoying the away mission, but she wasn�t
complaining either.
�She�s blocking our way. If we want to avoid a confrontation with her we have to
stray from the path that�s been laid before us.� Janeway explained.
�There�s no question then, we must go around.� The Doctor said. Tom and
B�Elanna nodded their agreement. Janeway already knew what Iana would say and she
had a feeling Icheb would go along with anything Iana said. She knew that the alien would
not be pleased with their detour. On the other hand, she could not risk her crew against an
angry mother.
�We�re going around. Come on.� Janeway shifted her pack and began making a
path around the mother�s den. Iana chimed in every once in a while, giving her impressions
from the mother as to whether or not they were too close. As soon as they were safely
from the den, they continued along the dotted path.
Chakotay felt smug as the alien slouched in the first officer�s chair. He felt an
immense swell of pride for the away team following their heart�s and not the instructions
to the letter. It may not have been appropriate Starfleet procedure, but he knew better
than to quote the manual to Katherine Janeway.
�I�m impressed.� The alien said. There was no emotion in his voice that Chakotay
could discern. �If your captain had fired on that mother, I would have ended this and sent
you on your way.�
�We believe in maintaining the ecosystems of the planets we come across.� The
acting captain explained. �Janeway has much in common with that creature. She would
only have attacked if her people were in trouble. We�ve been traveling through the Delta
Quadrant for nearly seven years, making us closer than most crews. As a result, we�re
very protective of one another.�
�I can see that.� The alien nibbled on his finger as he thought. �You still have three
more days commander. Lets hope they make the best of them.�
Iana was exhausted by the time they reached their next safe house. It was a cave
virtually identical to the one they had slept in the night before. Iana�s pack slid down off
her shoulders and onto the dirt, with herself only a second or two behind.
�Are you all right?� Icheb asked, his voice filled with concern. Iana couldn�t
answer him she was so out of breath, so she nodded instead. �Doctor, could you come
over here?� In an instant the Doctor was at their side, his medical tricorder already out
and scanning.
�You are showing elevated levels of triscaborbidine. Your Vulcan genes aren�t
reacting well to the leeola root bullion.� The Doctor pulled out a hypospray, loaded it, and
emptied it into Iana�s neck. �This should help. You�ll feel better by the morning. In the
meantime, I suggest you dine on Icheb�s nutritional supplements. I believe they�ll make a
better meal for you than Mr. Neelix�s stew.�
�I packed extra just in case I lost some. I think we�ll have enough to sustain us
both until we return to Voyager.� Icheb pulled an identical bag of chips from his pack and
handed them to the young girl. While he was there the Doctor took a few scans of Icheb
to make sure that his implants were functioning properly.
�It seems you�re doing fine. I guess that portable regeneration chamber you
designed works well enough. I�ll go check on the others and gather some snow for
dinner.� The Doctor rolled his eyes in his usual sarcastic manner and made his rounds.
�Thank you for sharing your rations with me. I had no idea you designed that
portable device.� Iana opened the food bag and took out a chip to nibble on while she and
Icheb conversed.
�I�ve designed and built a lot of things. I built a new sensor array to help the crew
scan for wormholes, and when Seven�s cortical node failed I came up with a treatment
that allowed us both to survive.�
�That�s fascinating.� Iana was truly impressed.
�You don�t find that odd or intimidating?� A nutritional supplement chip went into
Icheb�s mouth and was assimilated.
�Not any more that you do with my telepathy.� Iana replied.
�It does have a down side though. People think of me as the boy genius of
Voyager. I was reading over Starfleet history and there was another boy genius on a
starship, on the U.S.S Enterprise-D. I don�t think anyone will every see me as an adult.�
�You�re talking about Wesley Crusher aren�t you?� Icheb nodded. �We actually
ran into him, a year or so ago. He was still traveling with the Traveler. Wesley grew out of
his boyish stage and I�m sure the crew of Voyager will see you as more than an ex-Borg.�
�How do you see me?� Icheb didn�t look up as he asked the question.
�I see you as a warm and compassionate man who looks out for the well being of
others before himself.� Icheb felt a warm rush go over him, in stark contrast to his frigid
surroundings.
�Thank you Iana.�
�You�re welcome.� And they dined on nutritional supplement chips.
�I can�t believe she�s a telepath.� Janeway groaned over her bowl of soup to the
Doctor.
�There was no way you could know. She doesn�t like to tell people about her
heritage. She says it makes them uneasy about her.�
�She must have sensed that I didn�t know who she was. I feel so awful! I worked
so hard to be a good sheppard and I still missed one.� Janeway rubbed her face with one
hand as she stared down at the bullion that she really did not want to eat.
�Captain, Iana is one of those who wants to be missed. She�s very shy. The only
reason she opened up to me is because I�m someone who understands what its like to have
people treat you differently because of what and not who you are.� The Doctor
absent-mindedly stirred the leeola root bullion, not realizing that every time he did some
slopped over the side and burned on the heated rocks.
�You�re not still sore about that, are you?�
�Of course not captain, I feel as though I�ve become a valued member of the crew.
But that doesn�t mean that I�m treated like a flesh and blood person. I simply have
different limitations and abilities. As does Iana. She simply is not the kind of person who
would speak up to the captain.�
�She certainly spoke her mind to me earlier today.� Janeway stirred her portion of
the soup, watching with interest as more and more of the bullion splashed out of the pot.
�An exception most certainly. Iana can be very passionate when she puts her mind
to it. And I know she is passionate about animals.�
�A fellow pet lover?�
�Not exactly. With her distaste for human interaction, Iana has a real skill with
animals and their behavior. I heard she was considering a job in xenobiology before she
switched to the engineering track.�
�And she still graduated early? I�m beginning to think she�s been underused.�
�Possibly...do you smell something burning?� The Doctor sniffed at the air, and
was confused by Janeway�s unchecked laughter. She pointed towards his left hand and he
looked down in horror. �Oh dear.� he gulped. �I�m afraid Mr. Neelix would be
disappointed in me.�
�That�s all right Doctor.� Janeway said, clapping the hologram on the shoulder.
�Its quite obvious you�re a doctor, not a cook.�
�Commander Chakotay would like a progress report.� Tuvok intoned as he
entered engineering. Vorik came out from a Jeffries tube and approached his elder.
�The warp core is off-line for repairs. We have impulse power and maneuvering
thrusters. The communications systems are also down. We found a number of burnt out
relays that needed to be replaced. Lieutenant Torres should find her command post better
than she left it.�
�Thank you ensign.� Tuvok turned to leave but Vorik had more to say.
�Sir, I have a question. Why does captain Janeway find this away mission
exciting?� Tuvok looked at the ensign who was as eagerly waiting for his answer as a
Vulcan got.
�She is human. It is one of her species characteristics. They see the challenge as
something to look forward to.�
�Why? She is at a disadvantage.�
�Humans seem to excel when they are at a disadvantage. You would do well to
study the writings of Spock. He was the first Vulcan to serve in Starfleet and had to deal
with humans. I think you will find his works most...illuminating.�
�Thank you sir. I will do that as soon as I am off duty.� Vorik spun on his heel and
went back to work leaving Tuvok free to return to the bridge. As he ambulated through
the halls of Voyager and rode on the turbolifts, he thought about the young Vulcan�s
query. He had often marveled at the way humans rose to a challenge. He had often found
Janeway�s actions reckless and illogical, other human traits. However, he had to admit that
she always came out on top of the situation in the end. Her relentless attitude often got
them through hard times that a weaker person would crumble under. Even if it meant
pretending to be her boy toy. Finding the logic in Janeway�s actions was a challenge in
itself, one Tuvok felt up to. He hoped that she would survive this foolhardy mission, so
that he continue to prove his worth to her.
After dinner, everyone sat around the stones, quietly talking amongst themselves.
There was even an instance where the captain told a joke that made everyone laugh. Tom
regaled the younger crew members with tales of his Captain Proton adventures, in
particular the one where Janeway had to play Queen Arachnia.
�So there she is, trapped in Dr. Chaotica�s containment ring, and she decides to
use the pheromones that will make him her slave. Unfortunately, it doesn�t work, and Dr.
Chaotica�s first officer falls in love with her instead! She managed to get his shields down
though and I was able to blow up his ray gun with my destructo beam.�
�Don�t forget, it was I as the President of Earth who convinced the beings from
the fifth dimension to help Captain Proton.� The Doctor chimed in.
�It seems that Tom�s holodeck programs are more trouble than they are worth.�
Icheb said, in an almost perfect dead pan voice. Tom smiled at the good natured ribbing as
everyone laughed. It was true, many of his programs had extremely unfavorable side
effects. The residents of Fair Haven had thought the crew to be fairy folk, there was the
incident where Tom discovered the mutiny program redone by Seska, and then of course
the circumstance they had just reminisced about.
�Iana, I�ve heard your luck hasn�t exactly been stellar.� Tom smiled. Iana blushed.
�Its true. I have a rain forest program, totally realistic and that includes predators.
Someone tried out my program not realizing that, and nearly got mauled by a leopard.�
The others looked at her with wide eyes. �Its not my fault! I interact with the leopards,
they know me. Besides, he approached the leopard thinking it was tame. A typical
mistake.�
�I�d like to see that program.� Icheb told her. �Though maybe without the
leopards.�
The conversation turned to other things and after a while Icheb realized there was
a weight pressing on his shoulder. He looked down and saw that Iana had fallen asleep
with her head on his shoulder. Janeway also saw Iana and decided,
�We should all turn in. See you in the morning.� Icheb stood up carefully and
swept Iana up in his arms. He gently tucked her into her sleeping bag before retrieving his
portable regeneration device. It seemed that he wasn�t going to experience dreams that
night, but there would certainly be other nights and Iana certainly needed the rest. Icheb
wrapped himself in his sleeping bag to make sure he didn�t freeze while he regenerated and
activated the device now attached to his neck.
He was on a beach. At least, he thought it was a beach. Since he had never been on
one before he had to rely on his Borg knowledge. The sand was a light pink, tinted so by
the setting sun. The ocean water lapped gently at the shore, slowly eroding it away. He
looked down and saw that he was not wearing his usual brick red and dark orange
sweater; instead he was wearing a white T-shirt and shorts. A warm breeze caressed his
bare arms and legs creating sensations he had never felt before. His face felt lighter
somehow and when he reached up to feel his ridge he found that his Borg implant had
been removed. Fascinating.
Icheb took a moment to fully take in his surroundings. The sun was frozen in the
process of setting, it hung in the sky just above the horizon. Sandy dunes stretched as far
as the eye could see, topped with tufts of grass. He liked this place. When he returned to
Voyager he was going to program as much as he could remember into the holodeck.
�What are you doing here?� A familiar voice cried out to him. Icheb turned and
fully experienced the feeling of bare feet in sand. Iana was standing a few feet away,
clothed in a flowing dark blue dress. The breeze whipped it around her legs and Icheb
thought it looked like she was wearing a part of the ocean.
�I don�t know. Where are we?�
�I�m not sure. I don�t recognize this place.�
�Are we dreaming?� Icheb�s voice sounded so hopeful and expectant that Iana
couldn�t help but smile.
�I think so. It certainly feels like a dream.� Iana reached up with her hand and
nearly touched his cheek, but she was afraid to touch him for fear that she would find out
it wasn�t real. Icheb had no such convictions however and brought up his own hand. Her
skin felt warm against his cheek.
�If this is a dream I�m not sure I want to wake up. What do you do in dreams?�
Iana laughed, the sound echoing across the sand and water.
�Anything we want to.�
In the real world the alien sat between the two sleeping young ones. Two fingers
lightly graced their foreheads, creating a pathway between them. He found himself
enjoying these new visitors, and was certain they would enjoy what he had to give them in
return. He was also certain that they would complete his challenge easily. So many others
had failed, but he was certain that they would succeed and he could share the fullness of
his bounty with them. He would have liked to end the challenge now but he was trapped
by his own rules and regulations to see it through. Oh well, the reward would come soon
enough.
Harry Kim was bored. With most of the ship�s systems not in use or under repair
there really wasn�t that much for him to do. He had run the gauntlet of holodeck
programs; Fair Haven, hockey and Captain Proton just weren�t the same without someone
else to run them with. Right now he was in Sullivan�s pub, moping.
�Come now, young Harry, what�s got ya down?� Sullivan asked in his charming
Irish accent. �I haven�t seen Katy or any of the others in quite a while.�
�They�re all on a mission.� Harry grumbled.
�Why didn�t you go along?�
�I wasn�t chosen to go. There�s nothing to do but wait around until they come
back.�
�How about a game of rings?� Sullivan reached down under the bar and pulled out
a handful of the small wooden rings. Harry almost smiled and was about to say �sure�
when his combadge blared to life.
�Harry, get up her right away.� Chakotay ordered.
�On my way.� Harry acknowledged. �Sorry Sullivan, duty calls.�
�That�s all right. Some other time.� Harry nodded, called out �end program� and
headed for the bridge.
�Report!� Chakotay barked as Harry entered the bridge. Harry immediately took
his place at OPS looking distinctly out of place in his Fair Haven clothing.
�Three alien vessels have just come out of warp.� Harry reported.
�Their weapons are online� Tuvok added. �They are firing at the planet.
�Anyone recognize them?� Chakotay asked. Just then the turbolift doors opened
and spat Neelix out.
�Oh my.� He uttered as soon as he was the ships on the viewscreen.�
�What is it Neelix?� Chakotay turned to the tufted alien, impatiently waiting for an
answer.
�They�re called Srenoids. Very nasty. Very mean. Someone you really want to run
away from.� Neelix knew from experience that his advice would go unheeded. He was
surprised to recognize someone this far away from his home territory. �We didn�t go
looking for them did we?�
�No Neelix, they came to us.� Chakotay turned to the viewscreen and plunked his
hands on his hips.
�You must protect my planet!� The alien was back. �They will ravage my planet,
tear it to pieces!�
�Can�t you defend your own property?� Chakotay asked.
�I�m not Q. I�m not omnipotent. My powers can only do so much. Trust me
commander, these people will not go away with a few words. Your people�s lives are at
stake!� Chakotay took a moment to think about the alien�s words. If the alien was
speaking the truth, it was all together possible that the away team would be lost if they
didn�t fight for them. Still, he would follow procedure and try diplomacy first.
�Tuvok, ready phasers, Harry, hail them.� An ugly alien face came onto the
viewscreen. There was one eye in the middle of his forehead and his skin was a deep
purple.
�Get out of the way!� the purple alien growled. �This planet is ours!�
�Funny, I have someone here who begs to differ.� The alien visitor stepped closer
to Chakotay and the purple alien snarled in recognition.
�You!� he spat. �I will kill you for what you did to me!� The viewscreen went
blank and a moment later Voyager shook with the first barrage.
�So much for diplomacy.� Chakotay muttered under his breath. �Tuvok, fire when
ready. Aim for their weapons. I�m hoping that if we can disable them they�ll leave.� Tuvok
nodded and programmed their own attack into his panel. A second later Voyager�s
phasers ripped through space and slammed into the purple alien�s shields. The energy
fields crumpled and fell.
�Their shields are down, and their weapons have been destroyed.� Tuvok�s left
eyebrow raised up. �They�re hailing.�
�I told you to get out of the way!� The purple alien bellowed.
�And your weapons are destroyed. You can either leave now, or we�ll destroy
you.� The purple alien looked to one side at someone Chakotay couldn�t see. Then the
screen went black. �Neelix, do these people ever retreat?�
�I...don�t know.� Neelix�s mouth gaped open as he thought, but before he could
come up with a more definitive answer the three alien ships left orbit and warped out of
the system.
�Harry, what is the status of the away team?�
�I can�t tell...there�s too much interference.� Harry looked up, having done all he
could.
�Commander, this mission has gone too far. I�m going to retrieve your away team
now.� The alien�s face was serious, the current turn of events having changed his mind
about following his own rules. �I�ll be right back.�
The ground shook and exploded underneath them, throwing everyone in different
directions. Icheb looked up, his vision blurred.
�Iana?� His throat wouldn�t speak the way he wanted to, and instead of shouting
the name, it came out as more of a whisper. Icheb managed to rise to his knees, and he
could now see the rest of the away team. B�Elanna and Tom were both fine, having been
farther away from the blast site. Janeway was also rising, waving off assistance from the
Doctor. Then he saw her. She was laying face down in the snow, her protective clothing
charred and torn. �Iana!� Icheb hurried to her side, and carefully turned onto her back.
She groaned at the motion but her eyes remained closed.
�I can help you.� A soft male voice made Icheb look up. The alien was there,
looking sad. Icheb rose all the way to his feet, Iana in his arms like he had the night before.
The alien put his hand on Icheb�s shoulder, and space folded around them.
Janeway was the first to be released from sickbay and she joined Chakotay and the
alien on her bridge. She was glad to be out of the cold, and back to the controllable
environment of her starship.
�Who were those people?� She asked softly.
�People who didn�t pass my test.� the alien replied. �But thanks to your
commander, both my planet and you are still here to reap the rewards.�
�And just what might they be?� Chakotay asked. The alien smiled.
�Watch.� He stretched his hand out towards the viewscreen and it began to pucker
in the middle. The planet began to change as well, but the image of it was distorted at the
viewscreen continued to melt. Janeway stepped back a bit, but the folding of time and
space was so immense that it soon encompassed them all.
Janeway became aware in an incredibly large room. She looked around and saw
that her entire crew was contained within that one room. They all looked as confused as
she did but were behaving in proper Starfleet manner. The alien hovered above them.
�Thanks to your captain and the away team, you have been granted permission by
me to use my planet. Your ship is in my repair bay, where it is being treated with its own
lush accommodations.� As the alien spoke, two vast double doors opened at one end of
the room. �I hope that you enjoy all my planet has to offer.� The doors finished opening
with a large clang; Janeway was the first one to step out into the new surroundings.
It was completely unlike the planet they had first come across. A beach stretched
from one end of forever to the other, and it was lined with food vendors, massage parlors,
bars, and the traditional beach wear shops. There were changing rooms, restrooms, and
hotels. It was exactly the shore leave Janeway and the crew had been looking for. Excited
voices rose out from the crowd as they began to explore what the alien�s planet had in
store for them.
Iana felt a warm breeze massaging her shoulders and figured she was dreaming
again. As she opened her eyes she could feel the soft warmth of someone�s skin beneath
her nearly bare shoulders. When she fully opened her eyes she could see Icheb�s face
above her. It didn�t take her long to realize her head was laying in his lap. Both she and he
were wearing the clothing they had imagined in their dreams.
�Am I dreaming?� She asked, still a little dazed.
�We�re on the planet. It ends up the ice and snow was all a ruse. Look, its the
beach from our dreams.� Icheb supported the ensign as she sat up, and fully took in her
new surroundings.
�The last thing I remember is an explosion...�
�There were some aliens who hadn�t passed the alien�s test that were looking for
revenge.� Icheb explained. �The Doctor patch you up and released you into my company.
Everyone�s got a week of shore leave.� Iana managed to sit up, and looked around in
amazement. A single tear fell from her eye and she didn�t wipe it away.
�Thank you for taking care of me.� She said quietly.
�It was my pleasure.� Icheb replied hoarsely. He and Iana rose to their feet.
�What is there to do around here?� Iana asked, seeing the beach for all its
possibilities. Icheb smiled.
�Anything we want.�
THE END