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Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager is the property of Paramount Studios. I have received no monetary compensation for this story. It is simply the result of me getting bored and wanting to play. I promise, I'll give them back when I'm done.

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Waking Nightmare

written by K. Fryar

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Part One:

It was dry, hot. The sun blazed overhead as the away team slowly made their way down the ancient path towards the buildings looming in the distance. Chakotay checked the readings on his tricorder again, for some reason - he was growing more and more nervous as they made their way cautiously down the steep path. Once more, the readings were unchanged. The source of the dilithium was directly ahead of them. He scanned the area, searching for life signs, there were none.

Whoever had once lived here, they were long gone. The planet was barren, empty of life. Where once there had been huge oceans, there was now only dried up plains of hard, cracked earth encrusted with salt. Where there had been forests - there was only the dried out remains of the massive trees that once towered high above the ground. Without conscious thought, his eyes found the leader of the away team, carefully making her way over a fallen column that once had perhaps supported a causeway carrying water to the ruined city below them.

Captain Janeway cursed under her breath as she dropped to the ground from the top of the column. *I just HAD to come down here didn't I?* she said to herself. *Next time, I'm going to remember to let someone else do this..* She wiped a hand across her face, *I am going to take a nice cool bath when we get back to Voyager. It is just TOO hot down here.*

Chakotay stood still for a moment, watching as she jumped gracefully back to the ground from the top of the fallen column. Everything she did, she did with grace and ease. The sun over them made her hair seem to blaze with color and he was briefly overcome with the desire to run his hands through the fiery locks.

Shaking off his feelings, he continued down the rocky trail. As Chakotay caught up with Lt. Paris and Lt. Torres he overheard Paris muttering to himself, "I really hate planets with magnetic interference - and why is it that the damn magnetic fields are ALWAYS in the areas we need to get to??"

Chakotay chuckled, "You've got a point there Tom. It never seems to fail does it? And the places where we can't just beam down are always the hardest to get to."

Once they reached the bottom of the slope, it took very little time before they reached the first of the ruined buildings. The closer he came to the dark, towering ruins, the worse the feelings of apprehension became. It was all he could do not to pull Kathryn into his arms and carry her away from there as fast as he could. He jumped at the sound of her voice as she began giving orders to the rest of the away team. "From these readings, it appears that there are actually TWO sources of dilithum. Tom, I want you and B'Ellana to search that building there, the one with the columns in front. I'm getting a strong reading from that direction. Chakotay, you and I will head towards the main source that we picked up in orbit. It's coming from that black building there.." As she spoke, she headed off purposely in the direction of the signal. The building they were approaching was made of what looked almost like black marble. It was in fairly good condition, there was no sign of crumbled rock around it.

Chakotay followed, scanning the area as the Captain made her way towards the shadowed entrance to the structure. He looked up, alarmed to see that Janeway was almost to the entrance itself, she already stood in the shadows cast by the building. "Kathryn! Wait...don't go in there alone!" he called out as he started to head towards her quickly. His tricorder suddenly shrilled, the sound seeming even louder in the deafening silence of the dead city. He looked at the readout, alarmed and frightened by the sudden energy surge registered there.

Before he could do anything, a form moved deep inside the dark shadows within the structure. It moved out, becoming more visible with terrifying speed. Some kind of robot, heavily built and covered in dust moved towards where the two officers stood. A short protrusion raised from its side, aiming towards their position. Just as the two realized what was about to occur - it fired. A brilliant purple beam of energy arced out from the machine - striking the column beside where they stood. Chakotay grabbed Kathryn, pulling her around and trying to protect her even as he returned fire with his phaser. The robot shifted to the right, dodging his shot and returning fire once again.

This time, the purple beam found a target. Striking Kathryn full in the side, knocking her hard against him. She never made a sound, crumpling instantly into his arms. Chakotay dropped to the ground, Kathryn held tightly against him. Anguished, he screamed in rage and denial - firing repeated blasts at their attacker. His shots struck the robot, sending a spray of sparks and debris flying into the air. The robot jerked to a halt as purple arcs of energy crawled over its dark metal casing. With a roar, the devise exploded.

Tom and B'Ellana, hearing the first sounds of the attach had raced towards where their Commanding Officers had headed, arriving in time to witness the Captain being hit and Chakotay's cry of anger - followed by the destruction of the device.

Chakotay dropped his phaser, forgotten to the ground. He pulled Kathryn's limp, lifeless body into his arms. Her blood soaked the ground where she had fallen, now covering his arms and body as well. She was dead, he knew that - had known it the instant her body had been knocked into his. Chakotay looked down at her face, pale and still. A scream of agony left him to echo through the empty streets as he pulled his wife's body to his chest, cradling her like a child.

***

"NOOO!!" Chakotay sat up with a jerk. His heart pounding in his chest. His body covered in a cold sweat. He blinked in the soft darkness of his bedroom as reality sank in. The dream again. He'd had it now for the past 2 weeks. Always the same. His hand reached out to find Kathryn, reassured by the feel of her there beside him. With a repressed shudder, he pulled her sleeping form close to him, not wanting to wake her. *It was just a dream....that's all. Nothing's going to happen to her. I'll make sure of that.* he promised as he settled down, his body curled protectively around that of his wife.

***

B'Ellana ran towards the sound of fighting, the whine of phaser fire mixed with a deeper, ominous hum of energy. She spotted Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay trying to find cover as a strange robot moved towards them, firing a dark purple energy beam. She cried out in horror as the purple beam struck the Captain, knocking her hard into Chakotay's arms.

Chakotay staggered, his arm clutching her body to him even as he screamed with panicked rage. He fired wildly, over and over at the machine attacking them. His shots struck the advancing nightmare, B'Ellana felt relief wash over her as the thing exploded. Her relief was short lived however, as another anguished cry rent the air. She stopped, not even aware of Tom's arms around her as Chakotay threw back his head and screamed with pain. The ground beneath Captain Janeway visibly dark with her blood, her body terribly limp and still in her husband's arms. "Oh my god...Tom..." she whispered.

Tom pulled B'Ellana closer to him for an instant, his heart aching. "I know..."

The two of them hurried to where Chakotay now sat, crumpled in a heap with Kathryn's body crushed to his chest. There was nothing they could do, she was dead.

***

With a short cry, B'Ellana jerked up - her body shaking with emotion. Tom woke at her cry. His sleepy voice concerned, he asked. "B'Ellana, what is it? Are you ok?" As he spoke, he pulled her to him. His arms going around her still shaking form.

"That dream again.." she said softly. "Always the same..."

Tom looked at her, awake now. "The one were the Captain is killed? This is strange, maybe you should talk to the Doctor. You've been having that dream for the last 2 weeks.

B'Ellana shook her head, "No. I'm sure it's just the stress getting to me. I'll be fine."

She snuggled up to Tom's shoulder, with a sigh her eyes closed. Tom gently stroked her back and soon B'Ellana was once more asleep.


Part Two:


Chakotay stared, a chill ran down his spine as he looked at the viewscreen. *This isn't possible, it was a dream! How can that planet be there?* His thoughts were almost chaotic. The planet before them was familiar to him, he'd dreamt of it for nearly 3 weeks now. In his dreams, Kathryn died there.

Captain Janeway turned to Ensign Kim, ignoring the way her First Officer stood frozen staring at the planet on the viewer. "Harry, can you get a fix on the coordinates of the dilithium signal?"

Ensign Kim shook his head, "There's some kind of magnetic interference. I've got it localized down to a 1/2 kilometer square area but that's the best we can do. The away team will have to beam down outside the field and walk in, but they should be able to use tricorders to locate the dilithium. Once you're inside the field, the tricorders will be able to pinpoint the exact location."

Janeway nodded, "All right, Tuvok - you have the bridge. Tom, you and B'Ellana be in the transporter room in 10 minutes. Chakotay and I will meet you there."

With a nod, Tom turned and left the bridge, on his way to pick up the necessary materials for the mission.

Janeway soon followed, entering the turbolift as Chakotay followed her. The moment the doors closed, he spoke. "I don't want you to go down there. It's too dangerous."

Kathryn sighed, a look of annoyance crossing her features. "Chakotay, don't start. We need that dilithium and we need it bad. I'm going down there and that's final." She punched up the schmatics of the local region where the signal came from. The sensors read a harsh, dry climate. The terrain was rocky and mountainous, the away team would have quite a walk down to the abandoned structures where the dilithium signal was coming from.

Chakotay skimmed over the readings, even though the planet was not a harsh desert, he still could not shake the fear that wound tightly around his heart. "I don't want you going down there Kathryn, let me handle the recon. Or Tuvok, just don't go down there, its far too dangerous. We don't know anything about this planet. Those buildings are in ruins, this entire planet shows no signs of civilization remaining, just those old buildings. We don't know why the inhabitants left..."

Kathryn muttered something under her breath, walking over to stand before him. Raising her hand to his lips, she stopped his words. Her eyes met his, "The sensor sweep detected nothing down there. No power signals, no life signs other than plants and small mammals. I'm going on the away team, and that's my final decision on it Commander. I appreciate your concern, and I'll keep it in mind." Her tone left no further room for arguement.

Still, the two argued all the way to the transporter room. Finally, Chakotay could only stand beside her on the transporter pad as she gave the order to beam down.

Materializing on the surface, his heart filled with dread. He looked around, the features familiar to the last detail. It was hot, dry. The planet was dead, empty. A hot, dry wind blew - making them feel even more uncomfortable, bringing no relief from the searing heat.

Raising her tricorder, the Captain scanned the area - searching for the trace signal of the dilithium that Voyager needed so badly. Picking up the signal, she marked the best way down the trail, and motioned for the rest of the team to follow. They walked towards the signal, following an old, dusty path down a semi-steep slope. About half way down, signs of the ancient civilization that had once made its home on this world began to appear. The trail became more pronounced, marked by crumbling bricks along the sides of the road.

Here and there, what were once towering columns of stone lay toppled on their sides. One such column lay blocking the trail, his eyes caught on Kathryn's form as she easily climbed up to stand on the broken pillar. The sun light blazed in her hair, making his heart catch as he watched her. Chakotay continued on, overhearing Tom grumbling about the magnetic field that left them unable to just beam in.

*This isn't happening.* Chakotay listened to Tom repeat almost the exact words from his dreams, a sick feeling began to build in his chest. *I can't let this happen. I have to get to Kathryn, somehow get her to go back to the ship.*

Chakotay picked up his pace, catching up with the Captain where she stood on a rise looking out at their destination. His heart began to pound in his chest, there - in the near distance stood the same dark building from his nightmare.

Tom and B'Ellana quickly caught up with their Commanding Officers. Tom scanned the ruined city that sprawled out before them. "Captain, there are several separate sources of dilithium here. I'm reading the strongest signals from the center structures."

Captain Janeway nodded, "I'm getting the same thing. Let’s get down there and find that dilithium. It’s too hot to stand around in the sun like this. Maybe the shade from the buildings will help."

B'Ellana was almost sick, *I know this place.* She'd seen it for weeks in her dreams. Each step forward caused her heart to beat harder and harder as she stared in dread at the cluster of ruined buildings, in the center of which stood the hideous, dark shape from her nightmares. Tom watched her, concerned as the Captain headed down the last section of the trail towards the looming buildings. Chakotay followed, staying close to her side. He was talking to her, Tom could not quite make out what he was saying.

"Come on B'Ellana, let’s get going." At her troubled expression Tom frowned, "What is it?"

B'Ellana 's eyes were fixed on a dark, shadowed building in the center of the ruins. "This is the place, from my dreams...." her voice a mere whisper.

"Kathryn, listen to me...Something's not right here. Please, go back to the ship. If you won't do that, at least let me go first!" Chakotay was frustrated, pleading with her.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "Chakotay, there's nothing here. Come on - the sooner we find what we came for, the sooner we can all go back."

Kathryn couldn't help but note the despair that seemed to be flowing in Chakotay's eyes. "Kathryn, please don't go in there alone. Let me go first!"

She glared at him, annoyed now. "We came here to check out that high dilithium reading and that's what we're going to do. Stop being so paranoid. This place is dead. It's been this way for eons." She looked back at where the other two crewmen were slowly making their way over the fallen pillars.

"Kathryn..I've been having dreams..nightmares..of this place for weeks now. THIS exact place! and I'm BEGGING you, do NOT go in there!" He said, the fear and despair more than she could just pass off as paranoia.

She wasn’t listening, her attention distracted by a rather loud argument that was brewing between the other members of the away team. B’Ellana had apparently caught her foot in a crack in the surface of a fallen pillar she was climbing over and had decided to blame Tom.

Her expression turned to concern, "Damnit they're going to kill each other....Chakotay go help Tom get B'Ellana over that thing before they get hurt..."

Ignoring his soft plea, she turned and continued down the broken roadway leading into the heart of the ancient ruins.

She couldn't help but cringe inwardly at his fallen expression. "Yes Captain." he said softly as he walked over to assist them. As soon as she entered he turned and followed them, calling for Tom and B'Ellana.

Kathryn sighed softly as she entered the shadowed area cast by the huge, towering buildings.

*At least its cooler in the shade, not by much but I'm not gonna complain.* Pulling out her tricorder, she began to scan the surrounding buildings. Locking onto the strongest source of the dilithium readings, she began to make her way towards a massive towering structure at the end of the street.

Chakotay and B'Ellana discovered they had both dreamed about this, and all three took off after the Captain. "Kathryn!" Chakotay yelled, now convinced of what was about to happen.

A sandstorm was brewing, the low moaning howl of the rising wind drowned out his cry. The Captain slowed down, a low beeping from her tricorder indicating a slight power surge. As she crossed the sand-covered threshold leading to the courtyard before the building, she felt a slight tingling sensation over her skin. As if she'd passed through a force field of some kind, although no such field had registered on the tricorder.

Keeping an eye on the readings displayed on her tricorder the Captain began to cross the courtyard as she walked towards what appeared to be the main entrance to the building.

Chakotay, B'Ellana and Tom were all in a sprint towards her location on the tricorder. They rounded the corner and saw her about a hundred yards ahead. "Kathryn!" Chakotay yelled, but his voice was drowned out by the storm. In another 10 seconds he would be at her side to take the danger away.

Kathryn stopped suddenly, looking towards the dark yawning entrance in alarm. Her tricorder had begun to ring a warning loudly as a massive energy spike registered on the sensors. She couldn't see anything inside the dark cavernous entrance, even though the sun shone behind her and should have cast some light inside.

Chakotay saw it just as he had seen it before. A pair of purple glowing eyes seemed to loom out from the darkness. "Kathryn! Get down!" he yelled.

Everything within the entrance was hidden in pitch-black shadow, yet as she looked something moved. A darker shifting of shadow within shadow. Moving slowly, a great robotic machine moved into the sunlight. The dying light from the setting sun cast orange and red colors on its dull metallic skin.

Moving on pure instinct, Janeway dove to the right as a brilliant flash of angry purple energy shot from the machine, missing her by scant inches.

B'Ellana shouted a frantic warning as Tom and Chakotay pulled out phasers and fired at the alien machine. Despite their defensive fire, the machine continued to advance. The Captain had drawn her own phaser by this time and with a low warning shout moved from her position and fired. The machine spun back around towards her, firing even as Chakotay and Tom fired in tandem together. With an explosive force unexpected from something so old, the machine exploded. Sparks and shrapnel flew out in all directions, sending both men to the ground for cover.

When they looked up, the machine was still standing. Where its chest plating had been a large gaping hole still spewed smoke and fire. Turning, B'Ellana gasped in shock. Captain Janeway lay on the ground, motionless. Her uniform scorched the ground beneath her already turning dark with her blood.

Cursing and calling out her name loudly, Chakotay rushed to Kathryn's side. "Oh God..oh God.." he said over and over, pressing his fingers into the side of her neck. "Hang on baby.." he said desperately. "Tom get the shuttle over here!" he yelled. He pressed his hand into the wound that was bleeding, trying to stop the flow. "Come on dammit..come on Kathryn..hang in there!"

As he tried to slow the flow of blood, he felt a slight shudder go through her body and then she fell limp. Under his searching fingers he could find no pulse, her chest had ceased to rise with each breath.

Crying out loudly he begged for help. He pressed his lips to hers trying to get her breathing, while pressing down on her chest over and over. Soon the blood on the ground began to mix with his own tears as he held onto his dead wife tightly. "Oh god no!" he cried out over and over.

As the shuttle slowly made its way to a careful landing in the small courtyard, another sound began to intrude. The sound rose up over the mournful howl of the rising storm, coming up from the depths of the planet itself or so it seemed. Motion inside the dark building caught B'Ellana's eyes, as she turned to look fully first 3, then 10, then 20...more and more beings appeared.

They were tall, easily 6 feet each. Massive muscular bodies with powerful clawed hands. Their eyes were black, dark and fathomless. Each of them carried a weapon of some kind, and they were headed right for them. Before B'Ellana could get Chakotay's attention, they were under attack as more and more of the aliens poured out of the building.

Chakotay didn't care if he died now. "Go!" he called to B'Ellana and Tom. "Save yourselves!"

Using the shuttle's shields as a buffer, Tom moved as close as possible to the remaining officers. Landing, he jumped out and ran to where Chakotay sat crumpled on the ground still holding the Captain in his arms. He didn't need to use a tricorder to tell she was gone, and if he didn't get the Commander and himself and B'Ellana back on that shuttle and soon the rest of them would be dead with her. Pulling on Chakotay, he forced the older man to get up. Chakotay tried to carry Kathryn's body with him, the storm and the incoming fire making it impossible to reach the ship with her in his arms.

"SIR! She's gone...you have to leave her! There's no other way!" he shouted over the roar of the storm.

"NO! I won't leave her. Take B'Ellana and get out of here Tom! Have a good life together and cherish every moment of it! Go! That's an order dammit!" He wouldn't let go of her. "Farewell my friend." he said, as he collapsed to his knees, hugging his wife tightly, knowing soon he would he with her again.

Tom stared at his superior officer for half a heartbeat, and then drew back his fist and let the older man have it full across the jaw. Caught totally off guard, Chakotay fell back stunned dropping her body at last. Before he could recover his wits, Tom and B'Ellana had him in the shuttle and were in orbit - heading back to the Voyager as fast as they could.

The moment the shuttle had cleared the atmospheric interference, Tuvok had contacted them - the ship was under attack by unknown forces. They had to get back and fast!

Chakotay's face was pressed to the window of the shuttle that had the view of the planet. He was crying hysterically. "Dammit Tom why did you do that? Why couldn't you have let me just die, I can't go on without her!" he said in one of the most heartbreaking voices Tom or B'Ellana had ever heard.

Opening a medkit, B'Ellana filled a hypospray with a sedative and injected him with the drug. She then helped him to lie down as the drug took effect, lying him down on the medical bed and trying not to think about the blood staining his uniform. Going up to the copilots seat, she stared at the numerous ships that had appeared out of nowhere and were swarming to attack the Voyager. The alien ships were squat and ugly, their hulls dark and mottled with brownish red colorations like rust stains.

The ship wasn't able to maneuver with so many smaller ships swarming around her, they dropped shields long enough to let the shuttle land and then continued the fight. In a daring move all power was thrown into the forward shields and they surged ahead, knocking several ships out of the way, before resetting and escaping into warp. With inferior warp technology, the enemy was unable to overtake them. Chakotay awoke in sickbay, already crying pathetically. All he wanted to do was die.

Before they had time to do more than assess the damage from the battle, five massive ships appeared from what looked like a transwarp conduit directly ahead of them. Tuvok had enough time to call 'Red Alert" before the Voyager came to an abrupt and jolting halt in space. Held by a tractor beam of unimaginable strength generated by the combined power of the five alien ships.

The new alien vessels bore no resemblance to their previous attackers. These ships were graceful and streamlined, their hulls blazing white and blue. Sensors registered enormous power being generated by each individual ship.

Tuvok ordered a full stop and opened hailing frequencies. "This is Lt.Cmdr. Tuvok of the Fed. Starship Voyager, please respond."

When the response came, they weren't prepared for what they were told. "SILENCE" a deep, rich baritone voice burst from the comm system. "INTRUDER. YOU IGNORED THE WARNINGS AND HAVE RELEASED THE BAL'RAAG UPON US ALL"

"The what? I don't understand." Tuvok said rather confused.

"Do Not Deny Your Foolish Actions! Even now the Bal'Raag swarm over the planet and prepare to spread across the void. Your ship was in orbit around the forbidden world. We know this to be true. You have no choice but to return with us and correct the damage you have done. Only those who break the ancient seals can return the beast to its prison."

"Very well." Came Tuvok's calm reply, knowing to say otherwise would be suicide.

"You must speak with our leader. Mithran can explain all. You can not fail, otherwise all is doomed."

"Very well." Tuvok said again.

Before the bridge crew could blink twice, a shimmer of light appeared before the navigational console. A tall slender being appeared before their astonished eyes. "I am Mithran, I would speak with your Leader."

Mithran was felinoid in appearance, his body covered in a light silver/gray fur. Delicate claw tips were visible at the end of each finger, of which he had six. A long, silky tail curled gracefully around his ankles. On his feet he wore soft leather boots, a flowing white tunic covered his chest and tan breeches fell down over his hips and legs. Mithran stood there, waiting for someone to speak.

"Our Captain is dead." Tuvok said, approaching. "Our next in Command under her is injured from fighting with this 'Bal'Raag'. I am the next in line."

Mithran stared at him; "You are mistaken. You have yet to encounter the beast Bal'Raag. Those who walk now are his minions, his wraiths - come to prepare the world for his coming. Had you met the Bal'Raag - there would be nothing left of you." His left ear twitched, "You say your Leader lies fallen? Where did this occur and where lies the body now?"

Tuvok ordered the starchart called up. "There." he pointed out the world from which they had just escaped. "The body lies on the surface there. We were unable to bring it back with us. The husband of our leader was almost killed himself trying to do so, and had to be sedated before he would leave her."

Mithran growled low in his throat, his lips pulling back in a grimace baring sharp fangs. "You would have been wise to have recovered the body. The danger is increased a thousand fold! By now your Leader is one of them, a wraith with the knowledge of your vessel and your kind. Stupid to have left such a weapon in the hands of the beast!"

"Can she be saved from what she has now been added to?" Tuvok asked.

"The only way to free her soul is to kill her. You can not kill a wraith by normal means, one taken from death and turned must be destroyed by the blade of a sanctified knife and then only by one once loved. Otherwise the soul remains in torment, controlled by the beast and forced to return again and again as a wraith."

Tuvok frowned. "We will do whatever is necessary."

Tom scowled at his console, "Sir, I'm picking up several large ships matching the configuration of the vessels which attacked us earlier on an intercept course."

Mithran waved a hand negligently, "They can not harm you so far from his power, our ships are more than a match for them"

Tuvok nodded. "Raise shields, prepare to return fire." He turned to Mithran. "Let us begin the mission as soon as you are ready."

Before Mithran could begin his reply, Voyager shivered. The ship's shields dropped, responding to the prefix code as the alien ship ordered her computers to lower shields. While Tuvok frantically tried to lock out the current codes and entered the over-ride command to get the shield’s up a comm came in over the comm system.

"Surrender." In that one word, such malice and evil intent was heard that it raised the flesh of all that heard it. The speaker’s voice was one that was intimately familiar to them all, yet now seemed to be utterly alien as well.

"Kiss my ass." Chakotay’s voice rang out sharply as the turbolift doors opened. "Computer, transfer command of the Voyager to First Officer, Cmdr. Chakotay. Reason code 0065; death of a superior officer: authorization Alpha Omega Charlie.”

The computer beeped. "Accepted. Command of USS Voyager is now under the command of Commander Chakotay. Captain Kathryn Janeway Command codes no longer valid."

Chakotay clenched his teeth. "Now let's see that alien bastard try it." He had seen everything; as if something had reached into his body and torn out his soul. Part of him seemed to almost be in shock, the events unfolding seemed more like something out of a nightmare than reality. Chakotay looked at Mithran and knew him immediately. The beast had a particular hatred of this being. "Welcome Mithran, I'm Chakotay. The first officer." Captain Janeway’s command codes can no longer be used to access this ship. Let us begin your plan immediately.

Mithran's eyebrow arched, he started to speak and then stopped as the ships comm system activated once more. The comm system had remained open, now soft chilling laughter echoed over the silent bridge. "Fool." Her voice dripped with cold inhuman emotion as she spoke, "C'ran...connect the system.”

On the ops station console - the screen began to flash as a new set of commands were entered. The Captain had programmed in a back door that no one else knew about and was now accessing Voyager’s main computer with ease.

In a low threatening tone of voice she began to rapidly issue orders. "Computer. Access all ships systems...begin shutdown of all primary and secondary power systems."

The computer beeped a negative. *Access denied: Captain Janeway command codes are no longer valid” Chakotay actually laughed, the sound harsh and strained in the silence shrouding the bridge. "Computer! Disable all remote uplinks! Kill any outside connections to the computer and engage a level 7 security field around the main computer for core, to prevent any outside intrusion."

*Affirmative*

"All decks: Prepare for intruders! Don't let them get to a computer console!"

He expected anger; instead she began to laugh. "You aren't as stupid as you look are you?" The view screen shifted, showing the interior of the alien ship. Kathryn or what had been Kathryn faced the screen. Her face was pale , her cheekbones seemed to stand out in sharp contrast to her face. She was still laughing at him, exposing sharp fangs much like Mithran's beneath blood red lips. Her eyes were chilling, no color - no whites nothing. Her eyes were completely black, fathomless and yet still managing to convey pure evil. "It matters not. Soon the rest of the horde will be ready and nothing will stop its path!”

Chakotay leveled his gaze at her, battling with himself to control the anguish and grief that threatened to tear his heart to pieces as he faced what had once been the woman he loved. "I wouldn't come any closer or you will be destroyed."

She didn't move, instead all six of the alien vessels opened fire at once. Each and everyone of them targeting the junction point at the base of the Voyagers nacelles where the shield emitters were weakest. Under such a barrage of fire, the enemy weapons punched through and the Voyager shuddered violently as the weapons struck home. From the Ops station came, "Sir! We're down to 72% shields...we've lost phasers and the aft torpedo tubes are off line. I'm showing a major structural flaw on decks 11 through 13. We're in danger of a hull breach!"

Now, she did speak. "Surrender...while you can...” and cut the connection. The alien ships continued to fire - knowing all the weak spots in the shields as the generators struggled to maintain shield integrity. The Voyager was taking one hell of a beating, her once proud Captain now set on her destruction.

Chakotay cursed. "Helm, began rotating us on all three axis’s, keep us moving fast enough to impair their aiming!" With the Voyager flailing about, it looked ridiculous, but it also kept the weapons fire off the most sensitive areas, because the alien gunners weren't able to hit a moving target with such ease.

"Tactical, prepare to launch a torpedo into the center of that fleet."

"Understood!" Tom worked quickly despite his emotions, the weapon was fired into the heart of the swarm, 5 out of 6 ships were destroyed, Kathryn's vessel severely damaged and adrift in space. Chakotay opened a channel and simply said "Surrender."

Her response came, appearing before them on the viewscreen she was clearly injured. Her face and upper body burned and bloody. "Unlikely..." she hissed. As her image faded on the screen, the ship faded from sensors as well - just slowly disappearing.

A search of the area located the damaged ship, now back in orbit at the planet behind them.

"She has been taken back to be restored; this process repeats over and over if she is injured or killed; the beast will sustain her." Mithran said softly. "Can you do anything to help her if we got her away from him?" Chakotay demanded. That was the only question that he had; all others were answered.

Mithran met his gaze sadly, "The only way to release his hold on one such as your Captain is death. Even then, you must be the one to kill her. Only a blade through the heart will stop the beast’s power, at the moment of her death she is aware - knowing that she has been struck down by one she loves and trusts will shake his grip on her soul. Only one who truly seeks to release her soul from its fate can break the spell."

"What will happen to her after she is released?" he asked.

Mithran looked at him, emotionless. "She will die."

Chakotay wavered, grabbing the chair for support. Harry rushed to steady him, offering a steady hand to help. Chakotay collected himself a moment, before knowing what he had to do. "Let's go."

A shuttle with long range and specialized sensor capability took off from the Voyager twenty minutes later with one passenger. Chakotay was dressed in commando gear and he carried a strange looking weapon that appeared to be a crossbow. With the shuttle's capabilities, he landed undetected and made his way carefully through the desert toward the ancient city. Chakotay loaded the blade that Mithran had given him onto the crossbow, hugging the wall of the city and peeking through the gate. Several beings appeared to be celebrating something, but Kathryn wasn't among them. Their drunkenness protected Chakotay as he slipped by them. Then, he heard a familiar but cold voice up ahead, cautiously peering around another corner a stab of grief shot through him as he saw his wife reporting to some grotesque creature. "We were unable to capture them, my Lord.” she said in a cold voice. "They were able to damage our ships so that we were forced to retreat." He nodded. "Do not fail me again! Go at once to capture the ship and its crew. We must have them among our ranks.”

She nodded and turned. : Shit!: Chakotay thought, she was approaching the corner where he was hiding. He ducked and ran silently behind the nearest outcropping as what was left of Kathryn walked by and accessed a computer terminal.

Whatever she was doing, it didn't take long. As she turned to leave, Kathryn froze. Her head cocked to one side, her eyes narrowing and lips bared as she seemed to sniff the air itself. Her entire body shifted, growing tense and in a lightning motion she moved behind one of the pillars of stone. Her voice was menacing and harsh as she said, "I know you are here. I can smell your skin...and that accursed weapon given to you by that abomination. You can’t succeed. Already I can sense your fear, do not fight against your fate. Join with us...there is no other hope."

Chakotay silently listened. ::Dammit Dammit..:: he thought, ducking around a corner. When she was almost to where she thought he was, all she saw was an empty street.

From everywhere, his voice replied. "And what fun would that be?" he said, dripping with sarcasm. "So we could be together again? HAH!"

Silently, Kathryn looked up and found a handhold, which she used to lift herself up to the top level of stone lying in a ring around the courtyard they were in. Moving without a sound, her body graceful and fluid as a hunting tiger she slowly inched her way across the wide stone. Hidden from his sight, yet able to see below her with relative ease. She allowed a slow, sensual purr to escape "And why not...don't you miss me? Don't you miss the way my body feels against yours? The way our bodies fit together as one?"

That got a pause from him. ::DON'T let her do this...that isn't Kathryn!"::

Sensing his hesitation, a triumphant smile crossed her face, her eyes now locked on where she could just see him as he slowly moved around the pillars – still searching. She replied softly, using the acoustic echoes of the courtyard itself to make it sound as if she were only a few meters ahead of him instead of to his right and above his position, moving in silently for the kill.

"You aren't being truthful, I hear it in your voice. You want to touch me even now..your body hungers for it."

The distinct echo caught his ear. ::She's tricking you:: He looked around frantically. He finally saw her perched above him, very easily able to jump and make the kill. "What could we have?" he asked, now looking her in the eye. "You don't love ... you hate ... there’s no good in you ... only evil."

Seeing him look at her, she snarled like a wild animal and leapt towards him. He tried to bring the crossbow up and fire, his first shot wild and missing its mark - striking her instead in the shoulder - the bolt penetrating straight through. Kathryn shrieked in response to the hot fire of pain, an unholy sound of agony and rolled away from him to vanish into the shadows while he was trying to get his feet under him and fire again. Another echoing sound of anguish pierced the dark shadows; her voice now tainted with insane fury and pain. "Kill you! It Burns!!"

Chakotay backed himself into a corner, knowing he was vulnerable but trading that for the fact the he could see all around him. "I surrender." he said again, "just to be with you."

She snarled, "Too late...." as she lunged towards him. A long, sharp knife held in her hand clearly intent on cutting his throat.

Chakotay did absolutely nothing, allowing her to tackle him and raise the blade above her head, preparing to strike. His words were calm. "Just know I love you Kathryn." he said, closing his eyes.

A spasm of unbearable agony shuddered through her body, the knife dropping from nerveless fingers as she grasped at the protruding bolt in her shoulder. She jerked up and away from him, seeming to have forgotten him entirely in her sudden determination to get the weapon from her body. With a shriek she tore the bolt out of her flesh, a gout of blood spurting from the wound as she ripped the bolt out and threw it from her. Keening in pain, she staggered to her feet and turned to leave - Chakotay forgotten in the sudden maddening pain.

Chakotay took the hypospray in his utility belt, and raced behind her, jamming it into her neck, sending the painkillers coursing into her system and taking away the pain immediately. "Let me help you!" he said to her.

With an instinctive motion, she spun around and struck him with her forearm - ignoring the jolt of pain the action sent through her as she knocked him away. "You cannot escape what must be..." she growled at him. Her black on black eyes boring into his as she staggered towards him, already off balance from blood loss.

Her words brought an echo of Mithran's words back to him, "Only by death can you release the bonds on her. You must kill her with a shot to the heart, only that will set her free."

"Like hell." he muttered. He knew everything about the beast from the psychic connection. He also knew the weaknesses. There was a way that the Mithran didn't know. He began to scream in agony. His voice unmistakable to her. Hearing him in agony began to set her subconscious mind into action.

Kathryn stopped, wavering for half a moment. She shook her head, and for just an instant her eyes shifted to blue, she looked at him confused, "Chakotay?" Before he could speak she jerked spasmodically and her eyes returned to eternal blackness. With an enraged sound she turned and left him there, returning to the call from the beast who was not willing to let her go so easily. She left an easy trail to follow, blood was pouring from the ragged open wound in her shoulder where she'd torn the crossbow dart from her flesh. Her steps were not so quick; she was staggering as her body reacted in shock to the massive blood loss.

Chakotay jumped up and raced toward her, he tackled her onto the ground; screaming agonizingly into her ear to further loosen the bonds. In that instant he activated a comm-enhancing device on his belt and tapped his COM badge. "Chakotay to Voyager! Emergency beam out! Take down the field with phasers and beam out!"

"Phasers still offline, Cmdr."

Chakotay cursed. "Prepare the second phase!"

He picked her up struggling. He slung her over his back, carrying her at a run toward the shuttlecraft. She clawed frantically at his back, but his constant yelling of agonizing pain gave her mind enough power to fight the hold of the beast for long enough. He threw her into a restraint on the shuttle craft and blew out of there, hitting warp at only 1000 meters above the ground. "Copernicus to Voyager, phase two!"

From orbit where it had arrived, the Voyager sent down a quantum torpedo, which destroyed the city, and totally annihilated the beast and all his minions. All were released in an instant. The only thing he HADN'T counted on was what would happen to her. From the back of the shuttle he heard a sound, strangled and so full of pain it sounded like nothing he'd ever imagined. When he turned, he saw that her body had returned to the original state of injury after being shot on the planet. The wound in her shoulder remained as well, blood rapidly drenched the bed she lay on and her uniform. She gasped once and then fell still.

Chakotay cursed, rushing to her. "Chakotay to sickbay, medical emergency, emergency transport!" They both were transported and Kathryn was rushed into OR. An ensign beamed to the shuttle to ferry it in. Chakotay paced the Sickbay floor, not allowing his own injuries to be tended to until he heard the condition of his wife.

When the Doctor finally let him see her, she looked terribly small lying on the bed. Her face too pale and still, it was hard to believe the Doctor's words that she would pull through.

He caressed her cheek softly. "Kathryn?" he asked

She took a deep breath, shifting slightly at the sound of his voice. A soft whispering moan left her throat as she opened her eyes.

He smiled lovingly at her, his eyes full of relief that she was all right and love for her. He caressed her cheek softly. "Hey there angel." he said.

She blinked, swallowing on a dry throat before whispering. "What the hell did you do to me this time?"

He couldn't help but laugh softly. "Wasn't me, I promise." he said with a smile.

"Why don't I believe you?" she said. "Last I remember we were on the planet...getting ready to find that energy source."

He frowned at her. "Good. I'm glad you don't remember then.," he said, caressing her cheek. He explained what had happened to her. After he finished talking, she just looked at him for a moment before saying. "No wonder I hurt so much...the damn Doctor gave you all the drugs..."

He frowned at her. "You don't believe me?"

She rolled her eyes, "Oh come on...I died and was brought back to life possessed by what amounts to a demon? If I tried to tell you that you'd think I was nuts too.." She started to sit up, her face paling instantly and a low cry escaping at the pain the effort caused. "Okay maybe not..." she said.

He helped her lay back down. "Easy." he said. He pulled up a PADD. "Here's the official report if you care to read it captain. He clearly was a little upset she didn't believe him but he tried his best to hide it. "That tells everything that happened.

She read the report quickly, then looked at him. "You're serious aren't you? What happened to Mithran? I don't see anything else about him or his ships ..."

"They vanished. Never saw them, although Tuvok says that they cloaked without further communications and left. " He paused and looked at her a moment. "Yes I'm serious..you don't think I'm creative enough to make up something like that do you?" he said, a slight smile tugging at his mouth

"God I hope not..." she said. "Otherwise I have to start checking all the logs for creativity..." Her eyes met his, "You were going to kill me....and shot me through the shoulder..."

He smiled. "I wasn't going to kill you Kathryn. The shot was enough to let your subconscious mind break through, and that was it's only purpose, to HELP you. I didn't try to shoot you when you had me cornered."

She sighed softly, "It still hurts like hell..." she said in a somewhat disgruntled voice. "Next time YOU go first..."

He smiled. "I tried, but some headstrong Captain's that I know of didn't let me." He caressed her face. "I was only doing all that to help you, you know that don't you?"

She didn't answer, instead rubbing at her nose with one hand and complaining "Damn it...no fair tickling an invalid in sickbay!"

He looked at her. ::Does she not believe me?:: his facial expression must've changed in a flash.

She looked at him, "This is alot to take in at once...I'm tired.."

He nodded. "Okay, well I'll leave you alone so you can get some rest. I'll check in on you later." his voice sounded much less vibrant than before.

She leaned up as he started to go, catching at his arm. "Don't leave me alone...please stay...at least until I'm asleep....please..."

Her words struck deep into his soul. He smiled softly at her. "All right." he pulled up a chair beside her. "Here?" he asked, patting the chair, "or here?" he patted at the space beside her on the bed.

In a soft, slightly shaky voice she said "here..." shifting over to make room for him to lie down beside her.

He smiled, laying down and taking her into his loving arms. "I'm so sorry.." he said. "I was only trying to get you back, so I wouldn't loose you.." he said, snuggling her comfortingly, the emotions that had been kept in check in danger of letting loose.

Closing her eyes, she said softly "I love you..."

He kissed her neck and whispered back "I love you too." he put his arms around her in that particular way that Kathryn always liked to sleep in and hugged her comfortingly.



The End...how come this ended up sappy? I must be getting
soft...heh