Part 13 - In the balance.

Sickbay prison cells

Kraal moved quickly down the line of cells looking for Atara. The sickbay was not full.

"Found her" he boomed and dropped the forcefield. He entered the cell and scooped up the small scrawny woman effortlessly from her sick bed. She half-screamed and he clamped his hand over her mouth while Nithqref reassured her that this was her rescuer and not a horrible nightmare.

The huge Parath carried her back down to the main sickbay and set her down gently at a command console.

She was almost too weak to sit up but the Halquine supported her and she began to operate the console. "Command: use override: voice identification Atara, First Daughter of Morvius. Encryption sequence Hidden Hostile Takeover - Sub Group Vessel Commands. Computer identify and download all communication, sensor and transporter command code sequences on my mark. Commence download now."

"This will take a few seconds to complete." she remarked quietly, watching the encrypted codes spool down the screen.

At that moment the sickbay doors opened and Morvius entered. His dark eyes took in the scene before him and he screamed at his daughter. "Atara what are you doing? Who are these people?"

"Father we are trying to rescue the prisoners. Please help us."

"No you foolish child. I recognise them. These are associates of the criminal Janeway. She is trying to steal the ship."

She swung her head to look at him and then back to Nithqref.

"Is this true?"

The Halquine could feel her desperate anger and fear of being deceived. There was no time for dissembling now.

'Yes it's true but Janeway is not a criminal and we need her to rescue your comrades.'

The girl fell back from the console, horror on her face. Her father rushed towards her only to be blocked by Kraal who twisted the arms of relatively small Farini holding him immobile.

"Do not help them any further Atara. I forbid it." he squealed before Kraal silenced him with one large paw.

Nithqref knew co-operation was urgently required, they only had two minutes before the assimilation test took place.

Please Atara. Listen to me. I will prove to you that Janeway is no criminal.

"How can you do that?" asked the young woman. She sounded sceptical.

'Look into her mind. See for yourself.'

The Farinin stared at the Halquine from black eyes that seemed to admit no light. Then she silently nodded.

Nithqref prodded the Captain's mind checking that she had been following the events in sickbay.

'Kathryn I am sorry there is no time to prepare you for this - but try not to fight. You must trust me.'

The Halquine felt the Captain give her assent and raised a prayer for her courage and then opened a channel between the two minds.

The Bridge

Kathryn staggered as the link was made. Controller Goff stepped back but Kashyk moved to grasp her arm firmly.

"What is the problem Captain? Are you unwell?" he asked.

"No, just slight dizziness. It's nothing." She ground out the words, trying to keep from collapse. It was some relief as her Borg neural processor took over motor control of her body and left her conscious mind to concentrate on the battering force of the Farini woman's emotions. Hate, fear and despair surged through her. Mostly the hate and fear were directed at her and she cringed at the monstrous representation of herself as an evil ego replete with selfish overwhelming ambition and ruthlessness.

For a few milli-seconds she tried to resist the invasion but gave in to Nithqref who urged 'Don't fight Kathryn - relax, let her see for herself.'

She tried to comply and inwardly groaned as the Farinin experienced her memories. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. Nithqref's contacts with her mind had been very gentle she realised, The non-telepathic Farinin was about as gentle as a regiment of rampaging Klingon.

Kashyk watched the play of emotion on the ex-Captain's face with a sense of triumph. He was a successful telepath hunter and his instincts told him that the Captain was engaged in telepathic communication. Without fanfare he casually moved to a nearby console and began a scan for the tell-tale sub-space signature of telepathic activity. It might take three to four minutes to find but when he did Janeway was as good as dead. It was one thing to have a pet telepath, another to be one.

Sick Bay

Kraal, having roped and tied Morvius, was anxiously talking over the comm link to Seven of Nine.

"How much time left Seven of Nine?"

"Less than thirty seconds to assimilation." Seven suppressed the questions that rose to her lips. She knew something was wrong because of the delay. Cold fear was gripping her heart and she wanted to know what was happening to Kathryn but this was no time for discussion.

In the sick bay, Nithqref still supported the small Farinin. Checking her raging pulse and weakening physical signs the Halquine was frightened. She wouldn't be able to survive the link much longer.

Seven's calm voice broke the quiet. "The prisoner assimilations have started. We are too late."

'Atara?' thought Nithqref probing gently.

Nithqref sensed her confusion and then a decision being made. She entered a string of encrypted codes.

"Computer transfer command control for sensors, communication and transporters, voice activated, to alien Janeway. You have what you asked for Captain Janeway. Now try and use it." The little woman shuddered and withdrew her mind from the link. In answer to Nithqref's horrified stares she said. "If Janeway is all she appears to be then let her rescue us."

"They'll kill her." shouted Kraal angrily and lifted his disruptor to point at Atara who gazed impassively at the towering Parath.

The Bridge

Janeway experienced the Farini woman's shouted challenge in her head and she smiled grimly at the girl's ingenuity. It was justice of a sort she supposed.

She had only one choice. She had to reroute control of the ship to Seven of Nine in the Faraday if any of them were to survive, and that would almost certainly be signing her own death warrant. Unhesitating she opened her mouth to give the order when a triumphant voice interrupted her before she could utter a syllable.

"I have you now Janeway. You are a telepath."

Kashyk punched a button and Kathryn realised her link to Nithqref had vanished. Some kind of telepathic shielding had gone up around her.

"What are you talking about Kashyk?" asked Goff icily, unimpressed by the over-enthusiastic inspector.

"Controller Goff I demand that the telepath Janeway is removed to the brig." Kashyk was nearly hopping with excitement.

"It's not possible.... " said Controller Goff who pushed him aside to glance at the screen. And Kathryn saw disbelief replaced by anger and embarrassment and disgust.

"Get her off the bridge" he grated out. Kashyk beamed with satisfaction. At last he had a measure of success.

Kathryn was as confused as Controller Goff by Kashyk's accusation but surmised that the Devore had no understanding of the Halquine's abilities and had somehow mistaken her as the source of the telepathic readings. She didn't have much time to wonder as one guard seized her elbows while another hit her hard in the face with the butt of his disruptor. She made no effort to resist. They cuffed her hands behind her back and manhandled her off the bridge into the elevator as Kashyk leered triumphantly and Controller Goff looked on angrily.

Once inside the lift, the doors closed and she gazed expressionlessly at her captors who stood less than one metre away, disruptors trained on her body. She felt overwhelming urgency. She had to escape and she had to escape now. Leaning back against the wall, she tensed her wrists and felt the cuffs bite into them. Using all the enhanced strength at her disposal, she forced slowly her wrists apart and after a long painful minute was relieved to feel the left cuff begin to give. Carefully she worked her hand through the loosened restraint trying to disguise any movement by shifting her body against the wall.

"Stand still prisoner" barked the guard and raised his disruptor to her face. She froze but the restraint had come off her left hand. She was free.

The elevator reached its destination and the guard gestured to her to exit from the lift. She moved slowly, too slowly for the nearest guard, who stepped closer and lifted his rifle to hit her. Before the blow impacted on her body Kathryn seized the muzzle and used the momentum to swing the guard against his comrade knocking the latter off his feet. She pulled the rifle, and the guard holding it, towards her and brought his arm down hard on her knee. He screamed and let go of the weapon, his arm snapping noisily at the elbow. Without hesitating she swung the rifle stock up until it connected with his jaw and the guard dropped to the floor unconscious, blood spurting from his mouth.

She turned the business end of the disruptor on the other guard who was still on his knees, yelling into his communicator for assistance.

"Drop the weapon now." The terrified guard threw his disruptor aside and backed out, on his hands and knees into the corridor. "Get out of my sight." she snarled. He didn't need any encouragement, he picked himself up and scampered away.

Moving quickly she put down the weapon and accessed a computer terminal in the wall.

"Computer this is Janeway. Reroute all sensor, communication and tranporter controls to interface 4256."

UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH COMMANDS - UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR IN USE

"Computer reroute all sensor, communication and transporter controls to interface 4256" she repeated quickly in Devore cursing her own stupidity.

CONTROLS REROUTED

"Computer establish direct voice link with alien Seven of Nine. And erect level ten force fields around sickbay and storage bay 5"

VOICE LINK AND FORCE FIELDS ARE ACTIVE

"Seven, it's Kathryn. You have control of transporters, sensors and communication systems, now get those prisoners off the surface."

"Kathryn where are you?" said Seven her voice shaking. "We lost you."

"I'm safe, relatively, just get those people out before the planet is blown sky high."

"Kathryn we are too late. The assimilation experiment has commenced."

"Then we'll simply have to hide them until their transformation is complete, and Seven try not to alert the Devore of the loss of control. I want to keep our manouevres a secret until we can take control of the Fearless, is that clear? We cannot fight the Devore fleet from a shuttle locked in a cupboard."

"Yes Captain.... Kathryn, please be careful."

"Seven ..." A disruptor blast crashed into the wall beside her head.

"Seven, I have to go. Don't try to rescue me, it will blow our cover, just get the prisoners. I'll try and keep our friends busy. Janeway out." She threw herself to the floor and let off a couple of shots at the security guards who had appeared at the far end of the corridor and then rolled over towards an exit door into another corridor. 'Damn' she thought getting to her feet and starting to run. 'I should have ask Seven to disguise my life signs. This'll be fun.'

Sick Bay

It did not occur to a harassed and worried Seven of Nine to inform the team in sickbay of the change of plans. So when dozens of partially assimilated prisoners began to materialise in sickbay, in various states of panic and transformation, neither Kraal nor Nithqref were ready.

"What the hell is going on?" roared Kraal tripping over a large Brenari who was writhing in some discomfort. "Where are they coming from?"

Nithqref shook both heads and lifted up the tiny Farini, carrying her towards the entrance, out of the way of the materialising alliance fighters but the Halquine felt relief flood through tired bones and muscles.

'She's done it, I do not know how, but she has done it. Unable to feel her Nithqref couldn't say if Janeway was still alive or prisoner behind some telepathic shielding but remote fears were forgotten as the doors of sickbay blasted open. Outside three Devore soldiers armed with heavy disruptors held their disruptors ready to fire and the Halquine knew the last moment of its life had arrived. Using both its bodies, it shielded the Farinin held in its arms.

The blasts bounced harmlessly off a force field which flared electric blue as each shot made contact. Weak with relief, the Halquine thanked its many Gods and Kathryn and Seven of Nine and then warned its comrades.

'Kraal, we can expect company. The Devore know we are here.'

Storage bay 5

Seven watched the unfolding chaos on the ship. She was jamming all internal communications and sensors, disguising them as equipment failures. Teams of Devore engineers were running about frantically, trying to restore the systems.

The sensor jam made tracking Kathryn very hard but Seven kept a transporter lock on her love for an average of 93.4% of time. An utterly imperfect performance from a borg point of view. The communicator bleeped and the low urgent voice of her beloved interrupted her efforts.

"Seven, I am near sick bay. There are at least twenty three Devore soldiers trying to blast their way in. They have to be stopped."

"Acknowledged Kathryn. Please be careful."

"That's the twentieth time today Seven. I have already promised to be careful."

"Then you have put yourself at risk twenty times. Apparently you need frequent reminding" said Seven tartly.

Kathryn stifled a laugh. She rapidly outlined her tactics for removing the Devore assault group.

Sickbay

Kraal looked around sickbay at the ninety odd prisoners who were staggering about in various stages of confusion, sprouting implants. Shaking his head he identified three, two sturdy little Kirrin and an opal coloured lizardman, who looked in better shape than the others. He collared them one by one and pulled them aside.

"Are you able to hold a disruptor?" All three nodded and he threw a weapon to each of them. "Follow me." He marched to the door and they took positions up facing the entrance. A few seconds later a heavy blast from outside hit the forcefield setting off a coruscating display of light but the field held even though the walls on each side buckled.

"Nithqref we should get the prisoners away from the main entrance" called Kraal.

"There is no need to concern yourself Parath" murmured Atara. "No Devore weapon is going to puncture that forcefield. Unless they destroy the ship around it of course." Her glassy black eyes showed no fear or even any interest.

Kraal felt contempt mixed with anger towards the little witch but his reply was contained. "Farini, I am more concerned with hiding our numbers from the Devore. They may not yet know that these are the prisoners from the planet surface. Or how many we have rescued."

Kraal was gratified to see two more of the prisoners join his small band.

"However, the little dears seem to be recovering quickly." he boomed. "We should have quite an army. Of course we don't have enough weapons for more than a dozen." Leaving two of the men to watch the door, Kraal ordered the others to start moving their slower adapting comrades to the back of sickbay out of sight of the main doors.

The number of Devore outside sickbay had increased. Watching them through the shimmering forcefield as they desperately tried to puncture it, Nithqref observed the officer in command shouting orders to his men. And then to his horror he saw all of the Devore soldiers dematerialise.

'Kraal! They are transporting in. Take cover.'

Kraal and his small band threw themselves behind whatever cover they could find and waited for battle. But no-one appeared.

After a few seconds of silence Kraal lifted his head above the bed behind which he was crouching and looked about. His gaze shifted to the main entrance and the vision of a lone figure standing with a disruptor in one hand, the stock resting on her hip.

"Computer lower force field" said Kathryn Janeway and stepped through the shattered doors into sickbay. Kraal let out a bay of triumph and vaulted over the improvised fortifications, catching her up, he squeezed her the air from her in a bone crushing hug before putting her down gasping.

Atara, who had followed the giant Parath from their hiding place, was rigid and her face betrayed utter shock.

"You survived. How?" she gasped.

"Just luck" said the unsmiling captain. "Remind me to thank Inspector Kashyk for his timely intervention."

'Kathryn, you are safe?' sent Nithqref, both bodies hugging her physically while mentally hugging her mind, she sensed the relief and echoes of anxiety. She clutched an arm affectionately, but the Halquine, aware that she was a little overwhelmed let her go and asked 'What happened to the Devore?'.

She smiled coldly.

"It occurred to me that we should replace the people we had removed from the planet with some of our Devore friends, Seven simply obeyed the Devore commander's instruction to transport his men but instead of putting them inside sickbay she sent them all to the surface of the moon." Janeway limped over to the control panel and entered a few commands, establishing a link with Seven's command centre. "Seven has intercepted no unusual ship to ship transmissions and none of the other Devore vessels seem aware that anything is amiss. We are fortunate that the Devore command are so secretive about this mission."

"You're hurt Kathryn," said Kraal, immediately concerned.

"Not badly, just a nick. Tell me, how many people do we have who can fight? We need to take the bridge and engineering soon." Kathryn was worried that the Devore would trace the source of their malfunctions to the Federation shuttle and find Seven and Makela relatively unprotected. "Seven has been jamming internal communications but it's only a matter of time before they realise that it is not a simple system failure."

"We have fifteen, more or less, able fighters and a dozen weapons, the rest of the little souls are still too feeble... completing their transformations" he finished diplomatically. Kraal was thoroughly enjoying himself and his ruddy features beamed.

Kathryn acknowledged his report with a smile. She turned her attention to the frightened Farini woman who peered at her from behind the bulky protection of the Parath as though at a monster. She thanked her gently

"Thank you for your assistance and for trusting me,"

"And for nearly getting you killed, don't forget that." snorted Kraal.

Kathryn ignored the aside and keeping her attention on the young woman, insisted firmly, "But we will need the remainder of the ship's command codes if we are to survive a conflict with the Devore fleet. Are you able to obtain them?"

"Yes but there is a condition."

The fragile woman sounded as though she could barely raise the effort to speak but despite her fear her determination was palpable.

"You must not hurt my father and you must protect him as if he were your own, no matter what happens to me. You are to swear on your honour as a Starfleet captain."

"I suppose I have no choice," Kathryn muttered. She put aside her dislike of ultimatums and accepted the inevitable, avowing with all the conviction she could muster.

"Despite my obvious differences with Morvius, I agree to your terms, I swear to protect your father on my honour as a Starfleet captain."

Atara of Farini studied the captain's face. "I accept your promise Captain Janeway." She entered some data into the terminal and waited for the computer to produce the necessary authorisations. "Domain computer transfer all command to alien Janeway."

The domain computer beeped in acknowledgement and the small Farinin whispered "Captain the ship is yours."

Janeway felt a rush of excitement as the sacred words were spoken but there was no time to linger on the special allure of starship command, she had to secure this vessel now.

Part 14 - We Won, I think!

Janeway addressed the milling mob of semi-droned life-forms with as much authority as if she was talking to a squad of Starfleet Academy cadets.

"I am Kathryn Janeway. My comrades and I have the command codes and we intend to take this ship from the Devore. We will secure the bridge and engineering and then the rest of the decks. Major Kraal will choose a team to go with him to engineering, Nithqref and the remainder are to come with me to the bridge. Are there any good pilots here?" she asked. One of the rebels gestured at a dark figure resting at the back of sickbay.

"Arrin is one of the best I have ever seen." remarked the large solid looking man. He had a disproportionately small head, sharp weaselly features and little round twinkling-black eyes.

Kathryn nodded approval. "We are going to need a good pilot when we have control of the ship. Bring him here. He's to come along with my group."

The weaselly rebel displayed theatrical levels of horror and shushed her with his hands.

"That's a Her, for pities sake sweetheart. Her. Do not mistake her for a man," he stressed under his breath, "or she'll refuse to help you at all. She's like that, you know, hates men, can hardly bear to be near us."

He grinned evilly and displayed a fine set of pointed yellow teeth before he ambled over to the vaunted pilot and woke her with a good kick. After a short verbal struggle the tall, dark and strikingly good looking woman got to her feet and casually flattened the weasel with a solid punch. Dressed in a slightly ragged black flying suit the pilot swaggered towards the appalled Starfleet Captain and stopped in front of her. The only Borg implant visible on the arrogant face was a small starburst on her left cheekbone. It enhanced her dangerous appearance. She looked Janeway up and down.

"Apparently I have to help you out Red. Just remember I don't take orders from lesser beings. So ask nicely in future" she sneered in a low clipped accent.

Nonplussed at the familiarity and unprofessional behaviour Kathryn raised her eyebrow but decided to ignore the attitude for the moment. She turned away and raised her voice for the next request and tried to sound more forceful.

"Are there any engineers here who are fit for duty? We need them to go with Major Kraal and standby in engineering."

Two slightly shaky figures presented themselves, neither species was recognisable to her but one had two pairs of arms. Pretty useful, she supposed, for an engineer. Uncertain how to acknowledge crew in this strange world and even more uncertain how to establish command she hesitated.

Kraal stepped into the breach and took over in best parade ground command voice.

"Over here both of you, on the double and try not to look so droopy" he bawled and glared at them both as if their appearance were a personal affront to him.

Her ears ringing Kathryn half smiled as the two unfortunates limped over to join the engineering assault team. She was amused to note that Kraal had chosen the weaker looking rebels for his own team leaving her with a much burlier crew.

She looked at them critically. The alliance soldiers were a surly bunch of malcontents and Kathryn could not be sure of their loyalties but as there was no other choice she decided to concentrate on the plan and worry about the niceties later. After all, she reasoned, they all wanted to escape. That at least should keep them in line for the moment. Over the open communication link she asked Seven of Nine for a status report. Seven's reply sounded calm.

"The Devore are becoming increasingly agitated about the loss of internal communications and they are looking for Morvius. It may be difficult to disguise our presence for much longer."

"Hold on Seven if you can keep them confused a little longer, we'll try and get this over with quickly. We have split our forces in two. On my mark transport the group accompanying me to the bridge and the group with Kraal to engineering. Disable all external communications and put up forcefields at key positions to contain movement, I don't want any warning being given to the other ships nor do we want to be interrupted by regiments of Devore soldiers boarding us from the Revenge."

"Acknowledged, I will do my best Kathryn," said Seven before adding in a pleading voice "and be careful."

Warmed by the concern in her love's voice Kathryn joked gently. "And that makes 21 times. I'll be alright Seven, I promise."

"Kathryn please do not break that promise," Seven said seriously. Janeway was hard put to stifle the soppy smile that threatened to appear on her face.

"Everyone ready?" She said and looked round carefully at her team of eight alliance soldiers, the arrogant female pilot and Nithqref. They only had six disruptors between them. She was surprised when Nithqref insisted on taking two of the weapons, the peacable telepath simply said 'I will keep you alive Kathryn.' and Kraal had nodded approvingly. Those without guns equipped themselves with metal bars and surgical knives. With their Borg implants and unkempt appearance they looked fearsome enough.

She glanced at Kraal for confirmation that his team were also ready and he raised a clenched fist. The rest of his team did the same and shouted 'The Alliance'.

And once again Kathryn was out of her depth, Starfleet had rather given up on that sort of military gesture. Seeing the expectant faces of her team (those who had faces) she raised her fist in what she hoped was the appropriate manner. Her team promptly followed suit and shouted also.

Holding onto her command mask with some difficulty Kathryn said "I want everyone to come out of this alive. No killing unless you have to, but no hesitation if your comrades are in danger."

"We must liquidate all prisoners." objected a tall scarred man with an air of authority. "That is standard Alliance battle orders in this situation." Several of the other Alliance soldiers grunted or squeaked in agreement. The objector continued his criticism. "I do not know who you are lady but I can tell you we do not have sufficient men..."

A sharp poke in the back with a disruptor brought him to a savage halt: the point reinforced by a second disruptor held to his neck. Nithqref glared at him silently and then looked pointedly at Kathryn. Every soldier in the room experienced the Halquine's telepathic message.

'Captain Janeway has given you orders. On this ship she commands and any person here who does not follow her orders will answer to me or to Major Kraal with their lives. She is Khalid. Understood?' As one person, the assembled soldiers bowed to her, respect and even fear visible in their bodies and faces.

Kathryn was astonished and somewhat horrified, she had never seen the Halquine be anything but serene and mild-mannered. But the twin bodies, still threatening the tall humanoid male with disruptors, radiated an anger and ferocious tension that she could not have imagined; the very air around the elegant, graceful being seemed to hum with seething violence, the golden eyes afire with rage.

Even Kraal was impressed and caught up in the moment he lifted his mighty paw and roared "Janeway". The rest of those present followed suit and the air split with the noise.

Kathryn could just hear Seven's urgent voice on the comm system. "Captain, what is happening? Do you require assistance?"

The sound of Seven's voice delivered Kathryn from her state of shock and she replied, remarkably calmly she thought.

"It's okay Seven, somewhat different customs, but we're ready now." She signalled to Kraal to quiet the crew which he did by bawling louder than any of them.

"Silence!"

Absolute quiet followed. Kathryn made a mental note that she would have to try and encourage less noisy briefings.

"Seven, ready to transport the assault teams. Now."

The Bridge

The first thing Kathryn saw as she materialised was Inspector Kashyk smirking at some remark made by Controller Goff. In the next instant he turned to face her and the smirk disappeared.

"Drop your weapons now" she barked.

Three Devore guards lifted their disruptors to fight but before they could fire, the Halquine had fired four shots, two from each weapon. The three guards sagged to the floor. There were no further attempts at resistance, the dozen Devore guards still standing dropped whatever weapons they were holding.

"Get them you cowards," shouted a wild-eyed Kashyk and tried to unholster his gun, but as it cleared, and quicker than the human eye could focus, he was disarmed by the long flickering tongue of the lizardman who had materialised behind him. Kashyk stared unbelieving at his empty hand.

"Effective," murmured Kathryn appreciatively, the lizardman chittered something unintelligible in reply and waved the captured weapon about dangerously with his tongue, before bringing it down hard on the back of Kashyk's head. The Devore Inspector subsided to the ground.

Kathryn ignored Kashyk and concentrated on Goff.

"Controller, the ship is mine. At this moment my crew is taking engineering and then we control access to all major systems."

"Captain, without the command codes you control nothing."

It was hard not to admire the fat man's coolness, his pale eyes hardly even registered mild annoyance. He spoke with equal mildness. "If you do not surrender yourselves then your comrades on the surface of that moon will be liquidated in..." and he glanced at the countdown ".... forty three seconds."

Kathryn smiled graciously. "Controller look about you, look at these crew, where do you believe I found them?"

The Controller looked round at the motley assembly of alliance rebels, their Borg implants gleamed dully in the emergency lighting. He gasped slightly and for the first time appeared worried.

Janeway continued smoothly, "the only living beings remaining on that planet are a large number of your own men. I suggest we terminate countdown to the experimental firing. Battle computer, stand down. Do not fire without my authorisation."

The computer acknowledged the instructions.

"Computer," Goff shouted, "ignore orders from the renegade Janeway. Resume targeting moon."

Authorisation level insufficient replied the computer.

"The Farini," he hissed in frustrated realisation "They will pay for this, the Imperium will hunt down every last one of them."

His fury was compounded when Kraal's voice was heard over the communicator. "Engineering secure Captain, we are standing by."

"Any problems Kraal?" she asked.

"None at all, it was very dull, we have fifteen Devore under guard and no casualties," replied the Parath. "Our two little engineers are running about like piglets in a candy shop. They seem very excited."

"Can you secure the decks between yourselves and sick bay?" she asked.

"I cannot imagine it will be very difficult." He replied.

Kathryn was amused by the affected boredom in his voice but there was still much to do before she could be similarly relaxed. They needed to get away from the area as soon as possible.

"Seven we need you here to pilot this thing. Reroute control of sensors and communications back to the bridge and seal all access from the Devore crew quarters."

"It is done." said Seven. "I am on my way."

Kathryn spoke to Arrin.

"Pilot. When Seven of Nine arrives I want you and she to get us out of here quickly. Use whatever evasive manouevres you know."

The dark, good looking pilot scowled at her.

"I've never flown a ship like this. I need time to familiarise myself ......"

"You have until the Devore ships around us start firing at us pilot. However long that is. I suggest you get busy and persuade that good fellow there to help you." She gestured impatiently at the scared looking Devore pilot still seated at the navigation controls.

Arrin folded her arms and looked stubborn. "I told you Red, ask nicely."

Janeway lost patience. A full force ten command glare was levelled on the insubordinate pilot backed up by a raised disruptor.

"Follow my orders pilot or you will be the first dead alliance body on this bridge." Behind her she knew Nithqref had levelled both disruptors on the pilot.

Gazing into cold and apparently merciless granite blue eyes, Arrin recognised defeat and nodded reluctantly. She was not often scared but something about Janeway told her the small Captain was not bluffing.

Kathryn turned her own disruptor on the irate Controller standing between two of her men. "Controller Goff you are to order your remaining crew to surrender immediately."

"No." he said bluntly. "We will not co-operate Captain Janeway, you are the ones who should surrender. You will not be able to escape in this ship, you do not even have a pilot and none of my men will help you."

While the Controller was speaking Janeway just glimpsed out of the corner of her eye one of the Devore officers shuffle back towards a console and conceal something in his hand. Her alertness triggered Nithqref who was trying to monitor the minds of all those on the bridge, Nithqref's two halves spun and fired and the Devore dropped instantly to the deck, two huge holes in his chest. His lifeless fingers released the emergency beacon he had been holding. The small box tumbled to the floor and lay there, a green light blinking in synchronisation with the emergency signal it was transmitting to every Devore ship in range. For a split second everyone on the bridge just gaped at the box then Kathryn fired at it with her disruptor and it disintegrated.

"Battle computer," She yelled. "Shields now!" Before she finished speaking the Fearless shook from the impact of phaser fire from the adjacent Devore ship.

ACKNOWLEDGED said the computer and all hell broke loose on the bridge.

"Arrin, your time just ran out." Kathryn shouted at her reluctant pilot. "Get us out of here as fast you can manage."

Ignoring everything going on around her and trusting that Nithqref would make good the promise to keep her alive, Janeway ran to the tactical station hoping the hours she had spent studying the Fearless were going to be enough. She struggled to deploy the tactical sensors.

From the corner of her eye she saw Seven of Nine enter the bridge and start towards her. Kathryn felt her heart lift in spite of the danger but she snapped at the tall drone.

"Seven. Don't waste time. Get us out of here."

Without speaking Seven of Nine reached the navigational console in two long strides, threw the Devore pilot out her way with one hand and equally unceremoniously pushed the hapless Arrin aside with the other. Both gaped at the breathtaking blonde, who apparently unmoved by the chaos, began readying the Fearless for flight.

Janeway concentrated on the tactical display. Photon torpedos were closing in. Her fingers seemed clumsy as she tried to target the ship's phasers. The lead missile came in range and she pressed the firing control. A direct hit. The missile exploded but there was no time to congratulate herself. She targeted four more missiles and fired. Two destroyed but two were through and there was no time to intercept.

"All crew. Brace for impact." Seconds after her words echoed over the Fearless's comm system the ship rocked wildly and Kathryn lost her hold and fell sideways banging her head. But Seven hung on and Kathryn, lying on the floor, heard her calm report.

"Engines on-line Kathryn." Pulling herself upright Kathryn felt a stab of pride in her protege. "Course set for evasive pattern." continued Seven. "Engaging impulse engines. Slipstream in three seconds."

In the eternity that followed another direct hit shook the ship tossing Devore and Alliance soldiers about. Fighting broke out as the Devore took advantage of the situation. Then a different vibration began and for a moment Kathryn feared that the ship was going to shake itself apart.

"We have entered the slipstream Kathryn," Seven explained. "I am not entirely sure of our exact destination but we are leaving Devore space ..... "

An angry howl interrupted her. Inspector Kashyk twisted free of his guard. He grabbed his captor's disruptor. Unable to get a clear shot at Janeway who was still sitting on the deck he turned his gun on Seven.

"Watch your bitch die Janeway!" he screamed and aimed at Seven from almost point blank range. The Fearless veered sideways throwing him off balance. He missed. The ship pitched up like an old sailing clipper, climbing a giant wave, and every person on the bridge scrabbled to hold on to whatever they could. Those who failed, slipped and rolled towards the back of the bridge. Gripping the edge of the tactical console with one hand Kathryn hauled herself to her feet with desperate strength. In the other arm she braced the stock of the disruptor against the crook of her elbow. The violent motion had deposited Kashyk in a command chair from which relative safety he was struggling to aim his disruptor at Seven of Nine's back as she valiantly tried to stabilise the ship's gravity field.

Kathryn concentrated on holding her weapon steady. The noise and screaming around her faded and her vision seemed to narrow until all she could see at the end of a tunnel was Kashyk, his face contorted. He was still shrieking but she couldn't hear the words. She fired twice.

The Inspector carried on screaming but he dropped his disruptor. He had no choice. Kathryn's shots had severed both his arms at the shoulder and the limbs lay twitching on the floor. In that instant Seven brought the Fearless under control and the ship seemed to right herself. The crowd of Devore and Alliance personnel slowly disentangled themselves but there were no further struggles. Everyone was mesmerised by the agonised screams of the armless Kashyk.

Kathryn stifled the urge to vomit. She turned to the command console and announced ship-wide with as much cold force as she could muster. "All Devore crew are to surrender. Your commanders are imprisoned and we have evaded the Devore fleet. If you do not co-operate fully and completely my crew will execute you without further delay."

Around the ship her words were heard punctuated by Kashyk's pleas for mercy and death. Fear was apparent on the faces of the Devore bridge crew.

She pointed her disruptor at a white-faced Controller Goff and his head drooped in acknowledgement. He spoke quietly.

"To all crew. This is Controller Goff. I have agreed to surrender. Offer no resistance. You are to co-operate with Captain Janeway and her crew."

"Remove him to sickbay." Janeway ordered two of the Devore guards and indicated Kashyk with her hand. "And get rid of those," she added pointing at his severed arms.

"The surgeon may be able to reattach ...." protested Goff.

"Get rid of them." she said coldly, aware that fear was holding the numerically superior Devore in thrall and she was unwilling to give up that advantage. "And I'm afraid I must confine you to the brig Controller Goff." Nithqref. Get them all out my sight. she thought.

The Halquine's own artificial battle rage had faded already and Nithqref shivered at the ferocity still radiating from Janeway.

Without further instruction from their new leader, the Alliance crew rounded up the Devore on the bridge, kicking and punching them into obedience before marching them and the stretcher party from the bridge leaving just the Captain, Seven of Nine and the pilot, Arrin. The latter was now watching at the former Federation captain with undisguised admiration and some fear. Seven on the other-hand looked troubled if also slightly fearful. Kathryn felt a stab of regret. All she seemed able to do these days was to frighten people, including those she loved.

"Your aim was remarkably accurate in the circumstances" Seven said neutrally.

"It was no such thing," Janeway replied, her voice remaining unemotional. "I was aiming at his chest. Kashyk was a lucky man."

"I do not believe he thought so," replied Seven soberly.

Janeway shrugged. "It was him or you."

*~~~*

Five years later - Voyager

"And that was it," said Janeway. "We escaped, took the Fearless and joined the Alliance fleet."

Chakotay shook his head in disbelief.

"So then what? I suppose you defeated the Devore and the Borg."

Janeway grinned.

"I appreciate the confidence but it was more complicated than that. It was quite clear that neither the Alliance or the Imperium could defeat the Borg alone. There was a treaty. All the unsubjugated planets were allowed to secede to the Alliance in return for the technology we had stolen. The Borg were driven back." Her eyes darkened. "I don't want you to think it was easy. There were terrible losses. And for all our efforts the Borg will return one day; we are engaged in a ceaseless arms race."

The Voyager crew looked at their former leader and felt dismay. It was obvious that Janeway was not here to rejoin them. Chakotay was equally disappointed but he also felt apprehension. Why did Janeway need them now? Why was she here?

Part 15 Lost But Not Forgotten

Seven of Nine lay as still she could and tried to ignore the pain. She closed her eyes against the glare of the laboratory lights and with an effort of will forced herself to remember happier times. Not because she wished to distract herself from her situation, logically Seven knew that it was nearly over for her, she wanted her last thoughts to be of her family as the darkness closed about her.

She thought of Kathryn on the bridge of the Fearless, every inch the rebel leader, swaggering slightly to impress the ruffian element in the crew and then the transformation that occurred when the children appeared, sneaking onto the bridge against orders to say goodnight to their mother. The cold-eyed privateer would become a reluctant doting parent, endeavouring and failing to hide her pride in the children's independence and initiative; her veneer of anger easily punctured by the disingenuous questions and the eager demands for bedtime stories. The bridge crew, who knew their captain better than her ruthless reputation, would struggle to hide their amusement at seeing their infamous leader put in her place by the relentless logic of her small children. Woe betide any crewman who was caught smiling as Kathryn tried and failed to impose discipline on her irrepressible kids.

A savage jolt of electricity jerked Seven away from her recollections. She screamed at the pain in her head. The lab technician took no notice. He had watched the borg scream for months and if in the beginning he had felt any pity, that emotion had long since fled, overwhelmed by his prurient fascination with her memories and her body. His masters had no interest in the borg's pain; it was incidental to the matter at hand. They had accepted after several weeks that she would not respond directly to torture and since then they had concentrated their efforts on extracting what they needed directly from her borg brain. If it hurt then that was just a bonus as the boss would say with a twinkle in his malevolent eyes.

That was months ago. The technician's superiors were no longer even particularly interested in the ex-drone as a source of information. The technician was aware that they were simply keeping her alive as bait, to draw in 'that human bitch' as his boss always referred to the infamous Alliance commander.

The technician waited for the show to begin.

Seven closed her eyes again and concentrated. Trying not to give her persecutors anything, trying to force her borg mind away from any thoughts that might endanger her family. Experience had taught her it was better to let her tormentor see something he enjoyed, exploiting his obvious sexual arousal.

On the small holo-viewer in the laboratory a vague image began to form and the technician settled back with a smile of satisfaction and relaxed. He was meant to take notes of all the borg's memories, hunting for information about the Alliance but there was no need this time; he had seen this image many times before. It was one of his favourites.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

"... Kathryn ... please," the helpless ex-drone sobbed with need, completely unaware of the discomfort she had complained of so bitterly, many minutes before, the twigs poking into her back through damp mouldering leaves and the slight chilly breeze rustling the forest above.

"I thought you didn't want to make love out here" teased her lover who nonetheless didn't cease her attentions.

"... a ... mis ... judgement ... do not stop ..."

Words became impossible, sensation swept away thought and awareness, leaving two women lost in love and each other. As Seven arched up against her lover gasping and shuddering in the final ecstatic loss of control, Kathryn groaned and whispered "I wish I could hold you forever Seven of Nine. I love you." For long moments they clung together.

Seven loved the aftermath of sex as much as the sex. Kathryn was always affectionate and open at these times, whispering endearments in a gravelly undertone as she tenderly stroked and kissed the ex-Borg. For these short moments, Seven knew she possessed her captain absolutely. It was at these times that Kathryn would talk to her and listen to her, the continual demands of command and the rebellion muzzled.

"Kathryn?"

"Mmm?" queried the former Starfleet captain unconcernedly. She was concentrating on Seven's belly; her fingers appreciatively tracing lazy circles over the smooth, muscled flesh and taking occasional diversions to follow the branching lines of the abdominal implant.

In the early days of their physical relationship it had disturbed Seven whenever her lover touched her Borg implants. Kathryn had given such squeamishness short-shrift.

'You touch mine, I'll touch yours' she had said wryly.

In Seven's eyes, comparison invalidated Kathryn's bargain; the captain's slight but athletic body was almost unmarked except for three smallish implants (non-functional connectivity ports) on her left hand, her thigh and in the small of her back, and a rather decorative starburst just below her left ear. These blemishes were trivial compared to the several significant, very visible implants that marred the drone's fair skin and the extensive borg machinery that lay under it. Yet over time, and following extensive and energetic proofs, the ex-Borg had been convinced that Kathryn was not revolted by her more obvious Borg features. Eventually she realised that this was just one small additional unlikelihood she had to accept as part of believing that this perfect woman really loved her. And next to that miracle nothing seemed impossible.

At this moment Kathryn seemed determined to prove that some of the borg implants were erogenous zones. Seven shivered as her lover gently leant down to kiss her on the place where an implant disappeared into her skin just above her thigh. Reluctantly Seven stilled Kathryn fingers before they slid lower. Kathryn raised her head to look at her and Seven gently pulled the smaller woman up the length of her body, to kiss the elegant mouth before releasing her. Amused blue-gray eyes quizzed the ex-drone.

Seven hesitated, uncertain about what she was going to say. She had never proposed anything similar before, however she had found that it was usually more effective with Janeway to go straight to the point.

"I wish to have a family," she stated quickly.

The hand on her belly stilled and the expressive eyes darkened a shade, the amusement fading. "What are you saying exactly?"

"I believe we should have children."

Janeway rolled away and sat up. Her voice was determinedly even.

"That's not possible."

"The biological procedures for ..."

Janeway cut in harshly. "I'm not talking about the mechanics of the process Seven. I am talking about our situation. It wouldn't be right."

"Explain."

"We are in the middle of a war, light years from humanity. It would be completely unconscionable to bring a child into this life."

Janeway clearly felt the conversation was over. She stood up and started to collect her clothing from where it lay. Seven felt her ire rising. She was not going to be dismissed like some accidentally insubordinate ensign.

"You are saying that Kraal and Makela should not have children?"

"No I'm not saying that ... "

"How so?" Seven interrupted before her lover had finished. "They have been at war all their lives. Are their children less valuable that they may be more easily risked?"

Janeway did not answer as she bent over to pick up her trousers. Regardless of the argument, Seven could not help but appreciate her lover's appearance. The former-captain stood naked in the warm sunlight: a slim athletic body, trim despite her forty three years. Everything about her was neat, graceful and perfectly proportioned, smooth skin over fine muscles which were just visible, flexing under the fair skin, as she finished retrieving her uniform from the forest floor. The redundant Borg regeneration port and a long fine white scar rising across her lower back (a reminder of her imprisonment by the Devore) recorded recent history on the otherwise unblemished and silky smooth skin of her back. She turned to face Seven and the ex-drone had to consciously avert her eyes, from the swing of soft breasts, to her lover's face. Janeway's expression was a little unsettled.

"Of course not! It is not the same," Kathryn replied. She pulled on her pants with an exasperated sigh. Seven would have been amused by the sight of the self-controlled Alliance Marshal, standing half-naked in a wood, bare shoulders set with her customary determination, except that humour was the last emotion the ex-drone was experiencing.

"In what way is their situation different from ours?"

"This is their home," Janeway exclaimed impatiently, hunting for her shirt in the bracken and then irritably shaking dead and rotten vegetation and small insects from the creases. "Their people are here and they have to forge some kind of future for themselves despite the imperfections. I'm sure Kraal would agree that it would be better if his children were not born to this war and could grow up in peace but the Parath have little choice. They have been fighting for many years and they have developed great skill in hiding their families and keeping them away from the conflict."

"And could we not also hide our children and protect them? Do we not deserve a future?" Seven inquired quietly. She sat up slowly, wrapping her arms around herself.

Taken aback by her lover's sadness, Janeway paused in her search for undergarments and answered in a more moderate voice.

"We have a choice about our future Seven, a responsibility, and in my view it would just be incredibly selfish to have a child at this time. He or she would be isolated from others of their kind, alone ... without contact with other human children. Dear God, even we are not fully human. And what if we were both killed? What would happen to our child?"

Seven could not disguise her impatience with this human-centric line of argument. It was written in her face and voice as she spoke.

"We have good friends who would care for her and protect her with their lives, perhaps better friends than she might find on Earth. She would have the companionship of other children. She would not be alone." Seven's blue eyes hardened. "Is it not true that many children in the Federation grow up within cultures that are different from their genetic inheritance? I thought the diversity of the Federation was something of which you were proud."

"I am proud of it," Janeway asserted, "but don't underestimate how hard it is for children who are isolated from their own people."

"I do not underestimate it. My parents separated me from the rest of humanity and risked my very existence to chase the Borg. For three years I knew no other beings except my parents and the drones they brought aboard for study." Seven's clear, blazing blue eyes, held her lover's gaze. "Then I lost everything," she enunciated slowly.

"Then you of all people should see why we have to be careful ... " Janeway shot back, breaking the eye-contact and prowling round the ex-drone, who was now sitting-up, propped against the ancient tree-trunk. Seven shook her head and disagreed.

"That is not my conclusion. I did resent my parent's foolish arrogance toward the Borg and their utter carelessness towards my interests; their actions were indeed selfish and reckless, Kathryn. However, I do not regret being born or being brought to this quadrant." The ex-drone rose to her feet, towering magnificently over the smaller woman. Kathryn could barely hide an appreciative smirk. Seven was not to be diverted. "Nor do I regret being forcibly separated from the Borg collective by another person who acted 'in loco parentis' and against my expressed wishes at that time," she stressed.

Janeway stopped hunting for discarded garments and faced Seven. The former captain was still at last, totally serious.

"Do you resent me ... for that?" Uncertainty gripped her voice.

"No. I love you. How can I resent you rescuing me, even if I did not realise that I needed to be rescued? If you had not done so, we would not be together now" Seven said gently. Janeway relaxed a little too soon. The ex-drone resumed her verbal assault with unwavering intensity. "But sometimes I resent your obvious belief that you are the sole arbiter of what is right for me and what is right for us. You discount my opinions and my feelings. While I was a frightened and inexperienced drone such behaviour may have been necessary. That is no longer the case."

"I am not trying to say what is best for you Seven. I am trying to be sensible. We are talking about another life."

"You are afraid of the responsibility," Seven pronounced firmly.

"I'm afraid of responsibility?" said Janeway disbelievingly, outrage lowering her voice and darkening her eyes to a stormy grey. "You must be thinking of someone else Seven."

Seven was not intimidated or deflected. Kathryn's subordinates might scurry for cover when the Janeway voice rumbled and threatened. Seven was not a subordinate.

"You may be able command a starship, a fleet and even a civilisation but in your personal life, you are afraid that you will be insufficient. I do not know why you believe yourself inadequate. I have simply observed it to be true. It was apparently necessary for you to be exiled from your companions, lose your command, then be thrown into prison, tortured and nearly lose your life before you would risk allowing yourself a partner. I do not wish to experience similar deprivation in order to overcome your prevarication about expanding our family."

"Seven I didn't mean we could never have children, just that this is not a good time ... "

"That is demonstrably untrue. As a Free Alliance marshal, you are powerful, independent and more than capable of providing for and protecting a family; as indeed am I," Seven countered relentlessly. "It is true that there is some danger inherent in our lives; unfortunately I do not foresee any future with you in which that would not be the case, unless you intend to wait until we are both so old that having children would be impracticable?"

"Wait up a little Seven, let me turn this around. You've discounted my reservations without providing any reasons as to why you want a child now."

Seven dismissed the question. "Such reasoning is irrelevant."

"How can knowing why you want children be irrelevant?"

"The argument is circular. I wish to have a child because I wish to have a child. Beyond that I do not have any special understanding of human psychology or the urge to reproduce. I do not believe there is a logical rationale. It simply ... feels right."

"You can't just dismiss the issue like that, it's a serious decision."

"Yes it is. And we have agreed that we are in an adequate material situation and that we would be able to look after a child in a satisfactory manner."

Janeway's head shot up and she started to protest, "I haven't agree..."

Seven cut in brusquely, not wishing to cover the same ground again.

"Do you have some tradition or belief that would prevent you from having a family? Or is there some other ritual consideration that determines the timeframe for such events?"

Janeway shook her head. Numbed by the barrage, she couldn't remember her initial reservations.

Seven gently took her captain's hands.

"In that case the only question that remains is do you want to have a child with me?" The ex-drone then threw her former captain off balance by saying very wistfully, "I do not expect an answer now."

Holding her lover's gaze, Janeway pondered how it was that these arguments with Seven always ended in her total defeat. She opened her mouth to speak ...

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Before the captain could answer, a sharp pain skewered Seven's skull and ripped her from her memories.

"Good afternoon Seven of Nine. Though I suppose that the time of day is irrelevant really - it's always the same in here. How many days is it now that you have been here?"

Seven didn't bother to open her eyes to look at her tormentor. Kashyk formerly of the Devore Inspectorate and currently self-employed often visited the lab. He liked to keep her up-to-date.

"182 days 14 hours and 23 minutes," she replied. Her voice was a cracked whisper, broken by many hours of pain.

"No word from your wife for... let me see... 43 days. Do you think she has abandoned you? It would make sense. She has been unable to find you and the only way she can save you is by surrendering herself and that damned ship and crew. I expect she has decided that you are not worth the exchange."

"Perhaps," Seven acknowledged quietly. Kashyk snorted.

"Then again perhaps not. We both know how stubborn Kathryn can be. Even if she does not love you enough to give herself up, she will not want to be defeated by me. She'll come. I know it."

"And then she will kill you." This time Seven opened her eyes and stared into the madness of her captor.

Kashyk laughed delightedly and gripped Seven's human hand with the pincers on his wholly Borg arm and squeezed until Seven screamed at the pressure inflicted on her already broken fingers. Kashyk didn't seem to notice. He was daydreaming aloud with a blissful expression on his still handsome face.

"She will see her family, her friends and her partner tortured until she begs me to kill them. As she looks for you, so I look for your children. Very beautiful little girls are they not? My men will enjoy them. I wonder who will find whom first?"

Seven said nothing. There was nothing here that she had not heard before and it only excited her captor if she showed emotion of any sort. He did not have her children or Kathryn and for the moment that was enough for her.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Many thousands of light years distant in her former ready room aboard the Federation Starship Voyager, Free Alliance Marshal Kathryn Janeway had completed retelling the story of her imprisonment and escape from the Devore five years earlier. Her former crew were staring at her. Chakotay couldn't hold back any longer.

"Kathryn, this is an amazing story but you have not explained to us why you need our help. What could we do for you - we are relatively small and powerless. We almost certainly know less than you about fighting the Borg or the Devore."

"I told you that Seven of Nine had been captured six months ago."

Chakotay nodded, still not seeing where this was going.

"There is a price for her release. Me...and...you. Voyager and all of her crew to be exact."

There was silence.

"Why would anyone in the Devore Imperium be interested in us?" exclaimed B'Elanna Torres.

"It's not the Devore Imperium that has her. It's the Borg or rather I should say it's an agent of the Borg."

"An agent," muttered Neelix. "The Borg don't use agents."

"The Borg have learnt that sometimes co-operation yields better outcomes than assimilation. You could say that this ship pioneered that tactic with them. The Borg remembered us and remembered working with us. When they were approached by a man who promised that he could deliver me they took a chance."

"Kashyk," said Chakotay grimly. Janeway smiled bleakly.

"You are very quick Captain."

"But I thought you had killed him..."

"No. I just mutilated him and gave him another reason to hate me. From what our intelligence services have established, I believe that part of the deal with the Borg was a new pair of arms."

"You're asking us to surrender to the Borg in exchange for Seven of Nine."

"I want you to make the deal look real. Kashyk will never release Seven even if we did give ourselves up to him. He wants the whole thing. We have to get close enough to rescue her and the only way to do that is to fly in with Voyager under a flag of surrender. We know where she is. He is holding her on a planet just inside Borg space. It's close to Devore space but it might as well be on the other side of the galaxy."

"You want to use Voyager as a trojan horse."

"Yes."

"How do you even know she is alive still?"

"He likes to send me recordings." Kathryn clenched her fists and breathed slowly. "We have verified the dates of those recordings and as of three weeks ago she was alive."

Chakotay looked his former leader in the eye. He knew that expression. Nothing was going to get in her way.

"Do I have any choice?" he asked already knowing her answer but wanting his crew to hear the words.

"No. You have no choice Captain Chakotay."

TBC