Soul Mates Janeway stared in amazement at the man on the viewscreen. She was sure he had a fascinating story, but it was his appearance that got her attention. His hair was short and light brown, with two heavily tattooed ears sticking out of the sides of his head. His clothes were simple but clean, and his blue-green eyes twinkled with devilry. The man�s name was Ashitaka, Janeway had learned, and he had come from a planet in the system they were approaching. �I know you don�t interfere in other people�s politics, but I�m asking you to make an exception.� the man sighed, trying to figure out where to begin his story. �My people believe that everyone has a soul mate. We have technology that allows us to track out souls to see how they�re intermingled with. We arrange marriages and plan out matches carefully.� �I�m not sure what this has to do with us.� Janeway sat regally in her captain�s chair, hands folded in front of her. �I am the heir to the Piedo throne, but my bride, my soul mate, has been given to another. Jesse, who was supposed to be betrothed, thinks that Rin, my rival, is her soul mate. Soul mates usually feel something special when they meet, but Jesse and I have never been in a room together.� �Then how do you know Jesse is your soul mate?� asked Chakotay. Ashitaka frowned. �I took the tests. I was sent a letter telling me to come to the palace. Somehow Rin also got one and got there before I could. Only Jesse can chose who will be her mate and rule with her. She thinks Rin is her soul mate so she will chose him.� �Can�t you just explain to your officials what happened?� Janeway still wasn�t sure how Voyager was involved in all of this. �I did. This has happened before obviously, but as I am not a recognized noble, I don�t have as powerful a claim as Rin. The council is divided in half between Rin and myself.  This is where Voyager comes in.� Ashitaka�s voice lost some its desperation from before. �Rin and I now have to do battle for Jesse. This isn�t like most battles, this is a challenge of charm, skill, and attraction. I am lacking in all three. Please captain, I beg of you, teach me how to win Jesse�s affection.� �Why Voyager? Why not someone from your own planet who knows your customs and traditions?� Chakotay asked some valid questions that Janeway was eager to hear the answers to. �My people have heard of Voyager. Some believe that Voyager is a warship determined to destroy every planet between them and their home. Others, the majority, believe that Voyager does not mean to meddle. Unfortunately, Rin is a prominent speaker in the group that wishes to do away with you. I support the majority.� Ashitaka explained. �If Rin were to marry Jesse, and become the king of Piedo, there is a faction that would immediately set out to destroy you. It just so happens that you are passing at this time of Selection. I will not force you to help me Captain Janeway. I cannot. Your ship greatly outclasses mine. However if you don�t, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to our run or defeat Rin�s forces. If I am selected, I will have the power to reward you for your services.� �You don�t give us much of a choice.� Janeway�s voice was a fierce growl that the crew had come to recognize. She was not happy. �We don�t even know if you�re telling the truth. All we have is your word.� �You must know there is nothing I can say that will convince you. I will send you information of the tradition and beliefs of my people. I hope that you can find your answers there.� �Very well. How long until you have to do battle?� Janeway didn�t take her eyes off Ashitaka, and searched for any sign of trickery or deceit. �Three days. Not long I know, but I have faith in you captain. I am also sending the coordinates of a small settlement that I own. Whoever is to assist me can stay there with me. That way, every moment of my life will be crafted in the proper image.� �Thank you. My people will beam down to your settlement as soon as we�re in orbit.� Janeway told the young man. He nodded, tapped a few times at an unseen console, then the viewscreen went blank. The bridge was silent as everyone waited to hear what Janeway would decide and who she would pick to assist their new �friend�. �Tom, I want you and Harry to gather whatever you might need and beam down to the planet to help Ashitaka.� She said at last. �Can B�Lanna and Felina come along?� Tom asked cautiously. Although he liked to joke around, he knew when to back off and let the captain deal with their situation without his distractions. Luckily, she knew that the women would probably aid the men in their cause and agreed to let them go. As Tom and Harry headed for the turbolift, she gave them one last thing to think on. She hoped it would remind them, however unnecessary it might be, exactly how serious their situation was. �Do your best, our lives depend on it.� Tom was struggling with a pack full of PADDS as he met B�Lanna in the corridor heading for the transporter room. She gave him a curious glance and he explained. �I downloaded every formal wear program, books on dating and romance, and of course, all my personal logs of things we�ve done. I told Harry to bring all of his logs too...� �That�s sick!� B�Lanna exclaimed. �Oh come on, you can�t tell me that you don�t tell your personal log what we do on our dates.� Tom saw that B�Lanna was beginning to blush and knew he was right. �Still, I�m not sure I want you telling some stranger about what we do when we�re alone.� �I�m not going to. I�m just bringing them along to help me think.� Tom stuffed the last handful of PADDS into his bag and entered the transporter room. Harry and Felina were already there; Harry had a similarly stuffed pack. Felina was demanding to know why Harry had brought along his personal logs since that was nobody�s business but their own. �B�Lanna you agree with me don�t you?� B�Lanna, you agree with me don�t you?� Felina implored. Although B�Lanna smiled, she could add nothing to the cat-girl�s arguments. After all, she had hardly gotten further in her own. �Are you three going to bicker or transport?� asked an irritated voice from behind the transporter console. It was Lieutenant Will Tan. �Why aren�t you on the bridge at OPS?� Harry asked. Normally Lieutenant Tan would replace Harry when he wasn�t on the bridge. Transporter duty wad not what he usually did. �Because she�s at the helm. I....we�re...I requested a change of duty for a while.� Tan explained. �Now are you leaving or not?� The four away team members quickly headed for the transporter pad. Everyone on the ship knew of the relationship between Will Tan and Anna Garren. One moment they couldn�t keep their hands off each other, and the next they would be on the opposite ends of the ship, steaming mad. Apparently, this moment was one of the latter. If anyone could punch the panels on the console in an irritated and hard manner, Tan did then. They materialized in a deep wood, facing a medium sized stone house. Ashitaka and a few others were waiting for them. �Greetings!� Ashitaka said cheerfully. �Welcome to Dragonwood.� One of the people standing next to Ashitaka came forward a few steps with a device held before him. It whirled and clicked, then the man handed the device to Ashitaka. He read the display, then smiled even wider and said, �Good! Your captain sent me soul mates. I was hoping for soul mates...� Ashitaka paused when he saw that the crew members were staring wildly at him. �Did you not know that you were soul mates?� �No...the term �soul mates� is more of an expression than a fact. We were... unaware of our status.� Tom said, seeing that the others were too stunned to speak. �I see I have much to explain. Please come with me; we have prepared a meal for you. Then, after dinner, we can begin the lessons.� During the meal Ashitaka explained the actions of his men. The scanner determining who was soul mates. Each soul had a cosmic fingerprint that could be traced back through time. Ashitaka also explained that there were different types of soul mates. Tom and B�Lanna were the fire kind, always passionate and burning brightly. Harry and Felina were a good example of a water relationship, two people who flowed together and were as one. Wind people were always changing direction, while earth was simple and usually happy. �So you see, I wanted soul mates to help me win my soul mate. I am of noble blood, but when my parents died we fell on hard times and lost much of the family fortune. You may be wondering why I wanted Voyager�s help. I was hoping to win Jesse over with something that�s literally out of this world. Your ship is so full of soul mates, of every kind. You have friends, mothers, daughter, lovers, your ship is one big bundle of love! You had to be able to help me.� �What you asking is difficult, but I think was can help. We�ve brought centuries of dating advice from the Alpha Quadrant, the area we�re from.� Tom told the man. �Good. I have tailors, florists, cook, whatever you need my people will do. Fortunately we have a few servants who have stayed with us through the years.� Ashitaka paused to take a bite of food. �Do you want to see your rooms first or shall we go strait to the lessons?� �We have an...order in which we want to do this, and I guess we can go ahead and begin.� Harry pushed away his plate and stood. Servants advanced on the table and began picking up dishes and left over food. �I�ve prepared a room to be cleared. Please come this way.� Ashitaka led them to a large, well-lit room. The atmosphere in the house was cool, most likely because of the stone walls and floor.  Ashitaka rubbed his hands together in anticipation and asked, �What�s first?� �First, we figure out what you�re going to wear.� Tom and Harry finished setting up a small holographic projector on the floor in front of Ashitaka. �This program will show you a wide variety of formal wear from Earth.� Tom activated the program and a man about Ashitaka�s weight and size appeared dressed in a shiny black tuxedo. Ashitaka walked around the man, stroking his chin and contemplating the fashion. He said nothing, and Tom changed the fashion. Ashitaka repeated the motion, and the Voyagers realized this was going to take a very, very long time. Three hours later the sun had set and Ashitaka still had not made a decision. �Can I see the first one again?� He asked. Tom obliged and the black tuxedo re-appeared. �I think I like this one.� Ashitaka clapped his hands and a servant poked his head in the door. �Have the tailor make three of these, one for me and our two friends.� �You don�t have to do that.� Tom protested. �I know. But you are coming with me to the Selection, and I want you to look good. I want people to associate me with Voyager. Did you happen to bring any programs for the ladies? �No, we thought this was just for you.� Harry said. �Oh well. I�m sure we can find some native dresses that will do justice to such beauty.� B�Lanna and Felina smiled at the compliment. Felina also yawned, and Ashitaka decided that they had done enough for that night. �JC will take you to your rooms. We have anything you need, if there is something further don�t hesitate to ask. We will begin again after breakfast.� Ashitaka left, presumably to his own room. As JC led the four Voyagers to their rooms, Felina asked the man, �Do you mind being a servant to Ashitaka?� �Oh no miss. He is very kind, and my family has been working for his family for years, he pays well and doesn�t ask us to do more than we�re able.� The servant replied. �Is he always like that?� Tom had been a little put off by Ashitaka�s demanding attitude. �Yes.� JC smiled a little. �But more so now that he�s nervous about the Selection. This is a very important time in his life and if he is chosen he will become the king of Piedo. It is a large responsibility, and you can find further information about our customs and ways in your rooms.� JC stopped at a door that had a large flame engraved on it. �This is the room for the fire soul mates.� �We don�t have our own rooms?� Tom wasn�t sure he liked the tone in B�Lanna�s voice but tried to ignore it. �Soul mates live together, is that not so?� JC seemed disturbed by this new information. �Oh dear, this will not please Ashitaka.� �This will be fine.� Tom grabbed B�Lanna�s arm and pulled her towards the now open door. �Come on B�Lanna.� Although the half-Klingon protested, she was pulled into the room and the door slammed behind them. Through it, Harry, Felina, and JC could hear the raised voices of an argument.  JC swallowed, and prayed that Harry and Felina would be more accommodating. �You�re room is just down here...� JC hurried off, anxious to be away from the arguing couple. �You had no right agreeing for the both of us!� B�Lanna hissed once the door was closed. �We have to follow their customs. Ashitaka doesn�t exactly seem like the forgiving type! I�m just trying to play along!� Tom retorted. �Besides, what�s so bad about having to share a room for a few nights?� B�Lanna hated the way Tom could sense things about her, how he could read between the lines of everything she said. �Nothing I just...I just don�t feel comfortable here. Not this room specifically, this whole planet.� �You don�t like that Ashitaka said we were soul mates.� Tom corrected. B�Lanna growled softly under her breath but he didn�t back off like he normally would. �You�re still pushing me away, even if its only down the hall.� B�Lanna wanted to yell at him, to say that he had no right to judge, but he was the one she loved, the one she had let in and he had every right to complain about her behavior. �Fine!� B�Lanna forced herself to unclench her fists and uncross her arms. �Maybe it does make me uncomfortable to know that I�m cosmically attached to someone. I�m tired of everyone smiling at us as we walk by, I�m tired of everyone knowing we�re together.� �Are you saying that you don�t want to be together anymore?� There was a tone in Tom�s voice that let B�Lanna know she wasn�t getting her point across. �No! No Tom, I love you now and I always will but I don�t� want to be in the public eye any more. Everyone on the ship knows who we are, and we can�t go anywhere without it being whispered around the ship.� B�Lanna�s voice no longer sounded angry, just sad and depressed. Tom went to her and took her hand in his. �B�Lanna, its a small ship.� he said with a smile. �Rumors fly at small speed, especially since we�re the only Star Fleet ship in the Delta Quadrant. The aliens around here aren�t interested in our gossip.� B�Lanna barely laughed. �Besides, I don�t care if people talk about us. Do you know how long I�ve waited to fly a ship, be respected, and have a woman at my side who truly loves me for me?� Before B�Lanna could reply he gave her a quick kiss. �So you see, I�m proud of the fact that I have you and I don�t care who knows.� After his little speech, Tom yawned and said that he was ready to go to bed. He found himself receiving a cold stare from B�Lanna. As he did, something clicked in his mind. �That�s it! Everywhere we go people are always putting us in a room together, thinking that we�re lovers. It happened with the Lu, in that ion storm, and now here. You don�t like, no, you�re afraid that I�ll want you to do what everyone thinks we�ve already done.� �How do you do that?� B�Lanna�s question caught him off guard. �Do what?� �Know what I�m thinking without me telling you.� �B�Lanna, I know you and I know how each of your emotions show on your face. And don�t worry, I don�t think any one can tell.� Tom had to smile when he realized he was doing it again. �See?� �But do you expect that from me?� B�Lanna wouldn�t meet Tom�s gaze as she waited for his answer. �When we first...realized our feelings for each other it was during your blood fever remember? And I told you then, and this is true now, that I don�t want to take advantage of you when you�re not in your right mind.� �I think I�m in my right mind Tom.� B�Lanna�s lip quirked up and she finally looked him in the face. �Yes...� The word was drawn out and they both knew there was a �but� behind it. �But you are feeling pressured by those around you and I would still feel like I�m taking advantage of you.� �You�re too good to me.� B�Lanna kissed Tom passionately, then picked up the sleep-wear laid out on the bed. There was a small room, B�Lanna assumed it was a bathroom, off to the side and she decided to change in there. While she was gone, Tom changed and began making a bed for himself on the floor. By the time B�Lanna had returned, Tom was fast asleep. The tuxedoes had been made by breakfast the next morning. Ashitaka made them try on the tuxedos before they ate, to make sure they fit properly. B�Lanna and Felina were pleasantly surprised by the change in the men, and made sure to compliment Ashitaka who was equally stunning. �Now we can eat!� The young man proclaimed. Tom and Harry glanced at each other. �Shouldn�t we change? We don�t want to soil our clothing.� Tom suggested. �Yes! Good Idea!� Once the men had changed they came back to the table to find a massive meal waiting for them. Every dish was as appetizing as the one before it, and while they were eating Tom had another idea. �Harry, why don�t we have Voyager send down a box of chocolates?� Tom went on to explain to Ashitaka about the sweet candy that most Alpha Quadrant females enjoyed. �I�m sure Jesse will love them. She has a soft spot for sweets you know.� Ashitaka said as he stuck a forkful of something similar to eggs in his mouth. �How do you know so much about Jesse?� Felina asked. �The council members who support me have told me everything they know about Jesse so I�ll have some edge over Rin.� The alien noble explained. �Won�t Jesse just...know you�re her soul mate when she sees you?� Tom stared at a small bright purple berry before he popped it into his mouth. �If only it were that simple. Although Rin has never seen her either, she still he is her soul mate. Rin will see her first, and she may imagine that she feels something.� Ashitaka stirred his food with his utensil before continuing. �Now, what are we going to do after breakfast?� �Tom and I want to see how you would approach Jesse, how you would speak and act.� Harry replied. �Do you have a picture of her? If so, we can program the hologram to project her image.� �I�ll see if JC can�t find one in the database.� Ashitaka chewed thoughtfully. �Shall we get started?� While Tom and Harry worked with Ashitaka, B�Lanna and Felina went with the tailor to pick out styles and fabrics for their dresses. When they returned, they found an amazing sight. Ashitaka�s entire demeanor had changed. He stood up strait, hands clasped loosely behind his back, and there was a gleam in his eye that had not been there before. When he spoke, his voice was calm, even, and his words were properly enunciated. Ashitaka was no longer a hyper-active scatterbrain, but a elegant gentleman. When he greeted B�Lanna and Felina, he kissed the backs of their hands lightly. �You did all this in under an hour?� Felina asked. Tom and Harry shook their heads. �It was more Ashitaka. Once he saw the hologram of Jesse, things just snapped into place.� Tom explained. �Ashitaka says that a soul mate can do that to you, so we shouldn�t have any problems tomorrow. What do you think?� �Wow.� That one word said it all. B�Lanna walked around Ashitaka with hands on her hips, and looked him over with a kind eye. His gaze followed her. �I can safely say that you�re going to make a good king.� �Thank you. In my nervousness, I forgot my manners. Seeing Jesse�s image reminded me of all that was at stake. Your ship for instance.� Ashitaka gazed lovingly on the recreation of light and forcefields. �When she selects me tomorrow, I�ll have you to thank for it.� �Sir, there is a message for you from the starship Voyager.� JC came into the room, interrupting their conversation. �Thank you JC.� Ashitaka went to the other side of the room and tapped a specific stone in the wall. A portion of the wall began to rotate, and turned into a highly sophisticated computer console. �Lyla, please connect me through to Voyager.� Ashitaka said. �As you wish.� The away team was surprised to find technology much like their own in a place that seemed so antique. Soon, captain Janeway appeared on the screen. �Hello Ashitaka.� �Captain Janeway� �I�m calling to inform you that three ships have left your planet�s surface and are now circling my ship. Do you have any idea why?� Ashitaka�s jaw tightened and his breath hissed through his clenched teeth. �Captain, do these ships have a red splash of paint on their hulls?� �Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?� �Those are Rin�s ships. He must be so confident about winning the Selection tomorrow that he already has his ships in place. I would advise you to not send anymore people down, and please do not contact us again. Any action you take now may provoke those ships to fire on you without warning.� �Understood. But how will we know if Jesse chooses you?� �When Jesse chooses me,� There was no mistaking the determination in the man�s voice. �I will contact you.� �Fine.� Janeway hadn�t missed the inflection either. �May I speak with my crew men?� �Of course.� Ashitaka stepped to one side so that Tom could step forward. �Tom here captain. Ashitaka�s done well, mostly on his own too. I think we managed to add the icing to the cake that will make him simply irresistible.� �Let�s hope so Mr. Paris. See you tomorrow.� The screen went to black as Voyager stopped transmitting. Tom turned and saw that Ashitaka had his hands clenched and his face was red. �I cannot believe that Rin had the gall to go ahead and send his ships after Voyager. I should have fought harder so that this wouldn�t have happened. There must have been something more....� �You did all you could.� Harry said quickly. �Half the council believes you, and so do we. Jesse will certainly chose you tomorrow when you present yourself to her.� Ashitaka looked at Harry with a half smile on his face. �You speak well for someone who does not know our ways.� There was an uncomfortable pause until Ashitaka added, �Let�s go for a tour of the gardens shall we? Perhaps the girls� dresses will be ready by the time we return.� The others agreed and they left the house, hoping that things would continue to go well, and not worsen any further. That night, when B�Lanna returned from trying on her dress, she found Tom making a bed for himself on the floor again. �No.� She said immediately. �Its my turn to sleep on the floor.� �B�Lanna....� �No, you were a perfect gentleman last night and I appreciate it. Now I�m returning the favor. B�Lanna stared strait into Tom�s eyes, waiting for him to back down. While he wanted to protest, he knew B�Lanna wouldn�t stop until she got her way. He would just have to find a way around it. As soon as he was sure she was asleep, Tom snuck out of bed and crept around to where B�Lanna lay. He was incredibly careful as he picked her up in his arms and moved her to the bed. She never stirred. Once she had been tucked in, Tom went to the bed she had finished making on the floor. Only then could he sleep with a clear conscience. The next day went by quickly for the four Voyager crew members and the alien noble. Ashitaka checked and double-checked the preparations they had made. Tom and Harry made every effort to calm him down, but it was hard when they were just as nervous. A lot was riding on the fancy of a young girl�s heart, and they could only hope it was in their favor. A large bouquet of flowers sat in the front hall, and a large heart shaped box of chocolates sat next to it. Tom, Harry and Ashitaka stared down at the arrangement in silence as they waited for B�Lanna and Felina to arrive. �Ahem.� JC cleared his throat and the three men jumped in surprise. �May I present Lady B�Lanna and Lady Felina.� JC stepped to one side and the men turned their eyes to the stairs. When Tom and Harry gasped and gaped, Ashitaka smiled. He had been fairly confident that Piedo styles would be flattering to the two women, and their boyfriends reactions proved his assumptions. B�Lanna�s dress was blue velvet and floor length. Two thin straps wrapped around her neck and crossed over her back; the dress was also sleeveless. As B�Lanna walked towards them, the dress swished around her legs and the flower pattern across the dress shimmered. Felina was equally stunning. Her dress was an off the shoulder green velvet. It too was floor length, but the skirt was fuller than the one on B�Lanna. Although Felina�s dress was more conservative, it matched her personality. Harry was impressed by how well the color of the gown matched the color of her eyes. �How do we look?� B�Lanna asked with a smile on her face. It was obvious what the guys thought, but she wanted to see what they would come up with. �Uh...� Tom attempted to scrape his lower lip off the floor. �Wow.� �You both look excellent.� Ashitaka said for the two speechless men. He checked the small watch on his wrist. �We should get going. JC, has the transport arrived?� �It has sir.� JC moved to the front door and opened it, revealing the gleaming hull of a ground transport vehicle. Just as Ashitaka and the others left the house, JC pulled the noble to the side and whispered in his ear.� �The ships have been practicing attack formations around Voyager. I�m worried that they will attack before the Selection has been completed. Perhaps you can use this to flush out Rin�s treachery.� JC waited for a reply, wondering if he had crossed an unspoken line. �Thank you JC.� Ashitaka clasped his hand on the older man�s shoulder. �You have always looked out for me.� JC smiled with relief and gave him one last wish of good luck. Then, he could only watch as his master boarded the transport, and went off to face his destiny. �Listen to this. Anyone who finds that their soul mate has already died receives certain benefits. Most are not upset because they know they will be together in the next life.� Janeway read from a small PADD that had the downloaded information about the Piedo. �Fascinating.� Janeway could tell that Tuvok was unimpressed. Of course, he was from a culture that believed in arranged marriages that were made logically. Marriages arranged by a feeling did not sit well with the Vulcan. The captain decided to change the subject. �What about our friends out there?� she asked. �I would not call those alien crafts friends.� Janeway rolled her eyes and was thankful that her security officer couldn�t see her. At times, Tuvok�s logic became....annoying. �What are the alien craft doing Tuvok?� She asked, her voice harsh but understandably so. �They are still circling us, trying to scan our systems. They are most likely planning an attack.� the tactical officer reported. Janeway wished Chakotay was with them, but she had ordered him to rest. At least one of them had to be alert when the time came. The four Voyagers and Ashitaka stood in a waiting room with the six council members who believed the noble to bee Jesse�s soul mate. They were pleased by the results, but there was still an air of uncertainty around them. At the moment, Rin and his council members were inside pleading his case. As far as they knew, Rin had not brought any flowers or candy, and was dressed in the usual fashion. Ashitaka paced back and forth in front of the double doors that led into the main hall. His face was stern as he stared at the floor during his walk. Tom and Harry watched him pace as B�Lanna and Felina sat in a nearby corner chatting quietly. �Its time.� The words echoed like a clap of thunder in the room; Ashitaka nearly jumped out of his skin. The manservant left, leaving the door open. Ashitaka gathered the flowers and the chocolates and stepped through the door. Tom and Harry took B�Lanna and Felina on their arms and followed suit. The tension in the main hall was thick and stifling. Ashitaka�s nervousness melted away as he became totally concentrated on the girl across the room. The Voyager men tried to appear as confident as the noble and the women plastered smiles on their faces. Ashitaka held the flowers in front of him as he walked down the aisle between two large crowds of spectators. �My lady.� Ashitaka bowed as he handed the flowers and candy to Jesse. Even though the others couldn�t see it, his heart was thumping wildly as he looked upon his soul mate�s face. Still, he managed to keep his voice calm as he said, �How are you doing this evening?� �I am well.� Jesse was unsure what to make of this second suitor. Rin, her chosen soul mate already sat at her side, smiling slightly. So what was this feeling in her stomach when she looked upon this other man? He didn�t dress like a Piedon, and he had given her such nice things. Those people behind him certainly weren�t Piedon, had they helped this man? �My name is Ashitaka Teren. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. That box contains an exotic dessert called chocolate. My friends were kind enough to bring some for you in honor of this great occasion.� �Where are you friends from?� Rin�s face suddenly lost his smile. �And what is this...poison called chocolate?� �They are from the starship Voyager which I�m sure you know is in orbit.� There was not mistaking the anger in Ashitaka�s voice as he spoke to his rival. �You would willingly invite strangers, foreigners into our political affairs?� Rin turned towards Jesse. �This is the kind of man you would chose to run our world?� If Ashitaka felt anything at all about what Rin was doing to his words, he didn�t show it. Jesse was giving a lot of thought to what her chosen was saying. �I have made my Selection.� Jesse proclaimed loudly, silencing the murmurs spreading through the room. Ashitaka�s shoulders fell, and Tom knew he thought he�d lost. But suddenly, Ashitaka straitened and looked at Jesse as she spoke. �My soul mate is...� �Why are your ships attacking Voyager?� Ashitaka demanded. Jesse stopped and stared at him in amazement. �What are you talking about? They aren�t supposed to fire on Voyager until after...� Rin�s voice trailed off as he realized how he had incriminated himself. �You would attack someone who has done nothing to us?� Jesse asked. Rin paled visibly.� �You�ve been planning this all along haven�t you. Your ships left the planet yesterday to surround Voyager. No matter who was selected you were going to destroy them!� Ashitaka spat at the man. �They aren�t are enemy!� �Yes they are!� Rin hissed. �Don�t you see?� he asked those around him. �They�ve destroyed countless worlds and civilizations! I had to stop them before they destroyed us too! I would be a hero...�Rin stopped when he saw that his words were having no effect, except to turn more people against him. He looked around desperately, and saw that his advisors from the council had vanished. �Fine!� Rin�s hands whipped to his pocket impossibly fast. �If I can�t have Jesse no one will!� From out of his pocket Rin pulled a small device that the Voyagers didn�t recognize. The ex-chosen noble spoke into his lapel. �Kill them!� �No one in the hall had time to think about the order because Rin raised the device and pointed it at Jesse. Her face went from a look of anger to one of pure terror. Rin pressed a button on the back of the device, and blazing blue beam shot out. Ashitaka immediately leapt into action and barely managed to push Jesse out of the way. The beam bit into his flesh and spun him onto the floor. Jesse was at his side in a moment, then turned to the Voyagers and asked, �Can�t you do something?� �Paris to Voyager.� Tom tapped on his combadge which was tapped to his lapel. All he got was static. �Paris to Voyager.� Still nothing. The others tried their combadges, but with no luck. Suddenly they all realized what Rin�s comments meant. Tom turned to the man who was being held by several others. �Call them off!� Tom demanded. Rin sneered. �Never.� Captain Janeway dug her fingers into her armrests as she tried to stay in her chair. Voyager rocked with the blows of alien weapons and she gritted her teeth. �Shields down to forty-six percent!� Tuvok reported from tactical. �Returning fire...� Janeway watched the viewscreen as Voyager�s phasers tore through space towards the alien vessels. �Evasive maneuvers!� She called. �Aye.� Lieutenant Anna Garren�s voice sounded tense as she piloted the ship expertly. Janeway thought distractedly that Tom might have some competition if they got through this. �How do they know so much about us?� asked Chakotay, who had come onto the bridge when the battle began. �They�ve been scanning us intensely for the past few hours.� Lieutenant Will Tan replied from OPS. �They know right where to hit us.� �Any response from the planet?� �Negative.� Tan didn�t sound very hopeful of getting through. �Continue firing.� Tuvok said, even as he shot at the enemy vessels. Janeway turned in her chair and gave him a questioning look. He explained. �There is already a minority on the planet who believes us to be hostile. If we destroy these three, then we will only play into their delusions.� Janeway gave her tactical officer�s words some thought. �Agreed. Options?� �Their shields run on a tripoleonic compound. If we send a polyduplonic wave along one of our phaser beams, it will knock out their shield systems. We can then dismantle their weapons and catch them in a tractor beam.� Janeway ran over his calculations in her head and found them to be correct. �Do it.� She turned her attention to the viewscreen as a bright red beam shot out from Voyager�s underbelly. A split second later a green beam wound its way down the former and bore into the vessel�s shields. They flashed purple for a moment then vanished. In the next moment, the vessel was caught in a tractor beam. Tuvok quickly repeated the action on the remaining two ships. �Any word from the surface?� Chakoktay asked once the enemy was subdued. �They should have contacted us by now...� �Paris to Voyager.� �Voyager here.� Janeway responded instantly. �Tom what happened?� �I could ask you the same thing captain. Jesse chose Rin, but Ashitaka revealed Rin�s plans to destroy us. Then Rin pulled out a weapon and tried to shoot Jesse but Ashitaka got in the way...captain, how�s Voyager?� �Just fine. We managed to capture Rin�s ships without destroying them.� �Good. Tell the Doc he�ll be having company soon. Ashitaka was badly hurt.� Suddenly Tom�s voice sounded like it was coming from farther away and Janeway realized he�d attached his combadge to the alien noble. �Six to beam up.� Janeway and Chakotay rushed to sickbay to meet Jesse and Rin, leaving Tuvok in command of the bridge. When they entered sickbay, they found a mass of people hovering around a biobed. The crowd parted for them as the Doctor was making his last few scans. �You�re lucky it only grazed you.� The Doctor said in his usually dry voice. �Or else even I couldn�t save you.� �The Selection...I must....� �Oh no.� The Doctor pushed Ashitaka back down and said, �You�re not going anywhere until you�ve healed.� �No...I have to know...who...� �I have chosen you!� Jesse said quickly. �I know now that you are my soul mate. I can...feel it. Now lay still so the doctor can finish healing you.� Ashitaka thankfully did what she asked. He could finally relax, along with those around him, for with those four little words their mission was accomplished. �I don�t care if you were talking about plasma inducers, I still don�t like the way you were looking at him!� Lieutenant Tan glared down at his girlfriend, oblivious to Tom and B�Lanna as they passed. �Do you think those two are soul mates?� Tom asked. B�Lanna answered surprisingly quickly. �Maybe. They�re probably wind if you go by the way of Piedo thinking. Always changing, agreeing one moment and fighting the next...� �Makes me kinda glad to be fire.� �Yeah, we just always disagree!� Tom didn�t laugh as hard as B�Lanna would have liked, so she took a step further and asked the heavy question. �Seriously Tom, do you really think we�re soul mates?� �We could be. But I don�t like how Jesse and Ashitaka met and just fell in love. I prefer getting to know the girl, and making my won decision about whether or not to go on with the relationship.� Tom replied after some thought. �What if there�s some greater power out there controlling or at least helping with those decision?� Tom knew that the question was really a rhetorical one, but he still had an answer that he thought B�Lanna should here. �Then I�m a blessed man B�Lanna, because I found you.� THE END

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