Caretaker: Part Five

Chapter 5: Caretaker: Part 5.

Bini's POV

(Time: 7 pm.)

-----

I sat with Tom at the back of the messhall, away from anyone who wanted to talk to us. Not that anyone did anyway. The Messhall wasn't all that busy. About twenty people were there, including Janeway and her kids just finishing up dinner with Tuvok.

I munched on my steak as Tom sighed and played with his food by picking at it.

"Eat up, Tom." I said as I shoved another piece of steak into my mouth.

"Not hungry." He muttered and continued his actions.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?"

"Yes. I am not in the mood for your witty banter, Shadow."

I shrugged and continued to eat in silence for the next few minutes. I enjoyed it. It was the first time in a very long time that I was just able to sit and relax eating dinner without worrying about getting shot or having someone interrupt me. Like Tom usually would. I am enjoying this.

I looked up from my plate to see Neelix, that new species that we met entered the messhall. He happily went to the Captain's table and chatted with them. It was funny to watch Micheal and Sarah squirm as Neelix grabbed the attention of the Captain.

I chuckled softly as Micheal crept away from the table and carefully was able to move past his mother. He looked around the room for an escape as Sarah rested her head on her fist on the table and played with her food. Micheal spotted me.

He gave me a bright smile and ran over. He slipped into the seat across from me. His back turned from the rest of the messhall.

"Hi, Bini. Hi, Tom!" He chirped. Tom just nodded and continued his depressing picking of the food.

"Sup, Micheal. What are you doing over here?" I asked.

"That Neelix creature. He freaks me out." Micheal whispered.

"He isn't a creature, He is a person...in a way."

"Right sorry. Anyway, he is distracting Mommy with boring stuff. This is our time to be together. Mommy is always so tired when she comes back from work and late." He said. His eyes saddened.

"Maybe I can take you two back while the Captain finishes up. Sarah looks bored to death." I said. We both looked back at the table. Captain Janeway was looking down at her padd as Neelix pointed towards it. Sarah had resorted to try and fall asleep at the table.

"Um, Tom? Want to come?" I asked.

"No." He mumbled and managed to gulp down a small piece of food.

I got up from the table and grabbed Micheal's hand. Leading him back towards the Captain.

"What is wrong with Tom?" He asked as we crossed the room.

"I will tell you later, kid."

We finally made it to the table. Captain Janeway was now arguing with Neelix about sending an away team down to a planet tomorrow as Neelix kept telling her it was the only way to get her crewmembers back. Well, only one crewmember.

I cleared my throat. Grabbing the attention of everyone at the table. Sarah's face brightened up.

"Captain, since you are busy. Can I take Micheal and Sarah back to your quarters?"

She nodded with a smile. She looked grateful almost.

"Of course."

"Thank you, Captain."

Sarah jumped out of her chair and ran over to me as we walked out of the messhall.

"Thank you Bini." Sarah whispered out of her mother's earshot as we exited the area and onto the corridor.

"No problem. You looked like you were dying on the inside."

"Like the people of the Weston?"

"Never bring that up again. Ever." I demanded.

"Bini? Bini Filters?" My name was called down the corridor. We spun around and saw Neelix hurrying to my position. Sarah and Micheal tensed up.

"Go on. I will be at your quarters in a few minutes." I told them. They nodded and ran off. I turned back down the corridor and met Neelix halfway.

"What can I do for you, Neelix?" I asked. He gave me a nervous look.

"I was wondering if you could help me with something."

"Sure. As long as I don't get thrown in the brig."

"When we go down to the planet tomorrow. There will be a young blonde Ocampan girl. I need help getting her. I was wondering if you would be willing to help get her for me?" He explained. I will be honest I didn't quite understand what he was asking of me.

"You want me to kidnap an Ocampan girl in a Kazon settlement for you. May I ask why? This seems like something I would get thrown into the brig for." I replied.

"Oh no, no, no! I promised her I would save her a few months ago but was never able too. This may be my last chance too. I don't want to miss it."

I sighed and spun my hair around my finger for a few seconds. Trying to decide the right choice.

"Alright. But I won't take the fall for this if everything hits that fan!"

"Hit the fan."

"Becomes a mess."

"Oh. So you will do it?"

"Yes, yes. Now get going before I change my mind."

He gave me a bright smile and a tight bear hug then ran back into the messhall. I am starting to regret this.

-----

Neelix's POV

(Next Day. Time: 0900.)

I carefully hid away my phaser into one of my jacket's pockets. I straighten my posture as the transport chief gave me a suspicious glance. Captain Janeway, Tom Paris, Bini Filters, Captain Chakotay and Lieutenant Vul-Tuvok all entered the transporter room.

I clapped my hands together and put on a bright smile. I couldn't show them my real intent on my face or the entire plan is blow. Janeway handed out phasers to everyone. I attached mine to my belt as everyone else did.

Then I followed the group onto the transporter padd. After only being beamed once. I was a little nervous about a second time. The first time did not settle well with my stomach. I nervous fiddle with the combadge that I was given, only for a moment though.

My surroundings disappeared in a blue beam and reappeared on parched red clay, cracked under the red sky. The planet's surface. It had been quite a few months since I was last here. I hope she is still alive.

They each held up their arms for a moment against the glaring sun beaming down at them.

"Why would anyone want to live in a place like this?" Tom asked Bini. Bini shrugged as we started to walk towards the Kazon settlement. They settled to the back of the group as Captain Janeway and Chakotay settled to a normal pace beside me.

"The rich cormaline deposits are very much in demand." I said. Hoping to ease the butterflies in my stomach. To use a human term I heard from Tom Paris yesterday.

"The Ocampa use it for barter?" Captain Chakotay asked.

"Not the Ocampa, the Kazon-Ogla."

"The Kazon-Ogla? Who are the Kazon-Ogla?" Janeway asked.

"They are," I pointed towards the Kazon citizens moving away from us in panic or fear as we entered the camp. "Kazon sects control this part of the quadrant. Some have food, some have ore, some have water. They all trade and they all kill each other for it."

"I thought you said the Ocampa had our people." She demanded as we walked through the camp. The Kazon started to surround us. Everyone pulled out their phasers in defense.

"My friends, it's good to see you again!" I exclaimed as a group of Kazon pick up and carried me to the middle of the settlement. Others take the away team's weapons.

"I must speak with your Maje, the ever-wise Jabin!" I insisted as they let go of me and shoved me against a wall, weapons aimed at me. I sucked in a big gulp of air.

"Very amusing." I gave a nervous chuckle as they each growled at me. Some looked ready to shot me right then and there.

"Destroy him." One of the Kazon ragged as others nodded and mumbled to an agreement. The rest of the group was shoved to the ground a few meters away from me.

"Very amusing. I, I enjoy a joke as much as the next man." The Kazon leader, Jabin appeared as he walked through the crowd around me. Rage was written on his face as he kept his hand on the trigger of his weapon in his holster attached to his belt. "Jabin! My old friend! Water. Water, Jabin. I have water to replace all that I borrowed. Show them, Mister Paris. Their ship has technology that makes water out of thin air!"

Tom hesitantly handed the bottle over to Jabin and was shoved back to the ground with the group. Jabin took a long sip of water. He looked down at me curiously.

"You have more?" He asked. Janeway tapped her combadge.

"Janeway to Voyager. Energise."

Two tanks appeared full of water. The Kazon ran to them. Despite to get some of the precious liquid.

"There's more where that came from, if you can help us." She insisted.

"How can we help someone so powerful they can create water out of thin air?" He snapped at her.

"This man led us here suggesting we might find a people called the Ocampa. Do you know where they are?"

"Ocampa. She is Ocampa." A slight blonde Ocampan girl stood at the doorway of a broken-down house with bruises and scratches all over her face.

"Why would you be interested in such worthless creatures? They live only nine years. They make poor servants. We caught her when she wandered to the surface." Jabin explained. I looked towards the back of the group where Bini was sitting beside Tom. She looked at me for a signal.

I nodded. She nodded back and slowly crawled backwards and opened the door behind her. Tom gave her a curious look before looking back at the conversation between Jabin and the Captain.

"To the surface? You mean they live underground?" Janeway asked. I dragged my attention back to the conversation. I didn't want to risk the chance of Bini getting caught.

"The entity in space that gives them food and power also gives them sole access to the only water on this world, two miles below the surface."

JANEWAY: This same entity has abducted two of our people. We believe they might be with the Ocampa."

"There's no way to get to them. We tried. The entity has established some kind of subterranean barrier we can not penetrate."

"But she got out." Chakotay called out. Pointing towards the girl.

"Occasionally, some of them do find their way to the surface. We don't know how, but the Ocampa seal the tunnels afterwards."

"Maybe she can help these good people find a way down." I suggested. Where was Bini!?

"You'd be wasting your time. I've used every method of persuasion I know to get her to help us. She won't." Jabin snapped.

"Then she's worthless to you. Let us trade you water for this scrawny little thing." I insulted. The girl looked to her side. Into the house. She started to whisper to someone. Bini, I hope.

"I'd be more interested in acquiring this technology that allows you to create water from thin air."

"That would be difficult. It's integrated into our ship's systems." Janeway insisted. I watched as Bini carefully held her arm and rushed back into the camp and ran towards the transport spot as fast as she could.

"Look! Jabin!" One of the Kazon shouted. Jabin raged as a few Kazon ran forward and grabbed Bini and the girl. They dragged her away as they grabbed Bini and slammed on her back by her neck. She started to choke for breath as they held her. Slowly killing her.

I had to do something. I did not want to use my weapon. I had a feeling it wasn't going to work out. I quickly grabbed my tiny weapon and grabbed Jabin. I held it to his neck as the Kazon became frantic. But of course a Kazon still held Bini to the ground and one held the Ocampan.

"Tell them to drop their weapons. Drop them, my friends, or he dies in an instant." I threatened. They all slowly dropped them to the ground.

"Do it. Do it!" Jabin barked. They all slowly dropped them to the ground.

Tuvok and Chakotay rushed forward and grabbed Jabin's weapons. Janeway kicked the Kazon against his chest. Sending him down to the ground. Bini gasped for breath as the girl struggled against the other Kazon, Janeway rushed forward and disabled the other Kazon. The girl rushed forward and helped Bini up. Bini leaned against her as she continued to suck in huge breathes or air as bruise formed on her throat.

"Step aside," I ordered the Kazon. I then aimed my weapon at the tanks and fires holes in them. The Kazon rush to save as much water as they could.

"I strongly suggest you get us out of here." I added to Janeway. She nodded and tapped her combadge.

"Six to beam up."

I felt the similar tingling sensation of the transporter beam taking me up to Voyager.

-----

Bini Filters POV

I stumbled off the transporter pad. My breathing finally evened out. Everyone...almost everyone got off the transporter padd. Janeway stumbled around. Her expression seemed filled with rage.

When I looked at the pad. Neelix was holding Kes. The Ocampan girl. She told me her name was Kes just before I helped her get out of the house doorway.

"My dearest. Didn't I promise I'd save you?" Neelix said sweetly as he cupped her cheek. She gave him a sweet smile back. No one said anything.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.

-----

Harry Kim's POV

We were in a dark passageway to avoid the Ocampans. B'Elanna leans against the wall as she gasps in pain.

"Look, I'm sure Captain Janeway is doing everything she can to find us." I assured her. She glared at me then winced in pain.

"Are you OK?" I asked.

"NO! Nothing about this is "OK!" I am not OK. We are not OK." She snaps.

The young nurse from the hospital appeared before us, holding a small bottle.

"Are you in pain?" She asked in a small voice.

"Are you watching us? I thought we weren't supposed to be your prisoners." B'Elanna demanded.

"I wasn't watching you. I was coming to give you something. I don't know if it'll help. It's a medicine. Some people have broken from tradition and left the city. Their colony grows fruits and vegetables. They discovered quite by accident that the moss that grows on certain fruit trees has healing properties. I'm sorry for what has happened to you." She said.

"Thank you, but we need to get back to our people if we are too survive." I insisted.

"The elders would say that's against the Caretaker's wishes." She said.

"What do you say?" B'Elanna asked. The nurse sighed and look at us again.

"The Caretaker's been behaving strangely for the past several months. Abducting people, increasing the power supply." She replied.

"Power supply?" I repeated.

"He's tripled the energy he sends us. They say we have enough stored now to run the city for five years." She explained.

"No one knows why?" B'Elanna asked.

"No, when we ask, we're told to trust the Caretaker's decisions. One person I knew did get to the surface. We never saw her again." She replied.

"How?" I asked.

" The ancient tunnels that brought us here still exist. Over the years, small breaches in security barriers have appeared just large enough for someone to get through. But it still requires digging through metres of rock to get out." She said.

"Can you get us tools to dig with?" B'Elanna asked.

"It would take days, maybe even weeks to breakthrough. You have to rest. Conserve your strength.

"Please, it's our only chance!" I pleaded. She sighed and started to walk away.

"Stay here, I will be back with what you need."

"Thank you."

-----

Bini Filters POV

"If you had told us what you had planned, we might have anticipated your irrational behaviour." Tuvok insisted with that stone-cold Vulcan tone as we stood in sickbay.

"Irrational? We got out of there, didn't we?" Neelix snapped back. He tightened his grip on Kes's hand as the EMH fixed her injures on the biobed.

"Excuse me. Don't blame Neelix." Kes said to Tuvok. I stepped forward.

"I helped too! Are we just going to ignore that I almost dyed over here? Helping with this ridiculous plan!" I demanded. I pointed towards the bruise still on my throat. Tom chuckled as Janeway gave me a death glare. Neelix, Kes and Chakotay each gave me a sympathetic look.

"That's enough. This is a sickbay, not a conference room. Visiting hours are over. Everyone except my patient is to leave immediately." The Doctor ordered as he finished up and was about to press a hypospray against her neck to get some sleep.

"Computer, end Medical Holographic Programme." Janeway snapped. The Doctor looked at her with a surprised look before fading away. Back into the computer banks. The hypospray hit the floor with a thud.

"I never should have gone to the surface. I'm too curious. I'm told it's my worst failing." Kes said.

"No, no, it's a wonderful quality. You're most endearing." He insisted. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a dermal regenerator. If no one was going to help me, then I guess I was going to help myself.

"Would you be willing to take us underground to look for our missing crew?" Janeway asked.

KES: I'm afraid Jabin was right. There's no way to get down. The tunnel I came out has been sealed.

"The tunnel I came out of is blocked now. We can't get through." Kes said.

"We don't need a tunnel. We can transport there directly." Janeway insisted.

"Captain, our sensors did not pick up any indication of an underground civilization. The subterranean barrier Jabin described may be responsible. It might also block our transporter." Tuvok said.

"There are breaches in the security barrier where it's begun to decay. That's how I got out." Kes said.

"Have Ops begin a sweep for any breaches we might be able to beam through," Janeway ordered Tuvok. He nodded and left sickbay.

"Kes can tell you where to go. But now that she's free, we're leaving this system together." Neelix urged as he faced the group again.

"Neelix, these people rescued me." Kes said.

"I rescued you." Neelix snapped back. I finished with the regenerator and slammed it down. They looked towards me.

"And I almost died. Do I need to repeat this?" I snapped.

"She has a point. You did save me with their help. It would be wrong not to help them." Kes said towards Neelix. Neelix smiled and turned towards us.

"Isn't she wonderful?" Neelix beamed towards us. I rolled my eyes and left. I have better things to do right now.

-----

Kes's POV

I transported down with the kind people that saved me from the Kazon to the underground settlement where my people live. In the Ocampan Settlement near my house.

In the team was: Captain Janeway, Bini Filters, Lieutenant Tuvok, Tom Paris, and Captain Chakotay.

Daggin glanced towards us like the rest of the citizens. Their faces broke into a wide smile when they noticed that I was back.

"Kes." He said as he gave me a tight hug. I hugged back and stepped back towards the group.

"Hello, Daggin." I replied.

"We thought we'd never see you again. How did you get back?" He asked.

"These people rescued me from the Kazon. I'm trying to help them find two of their crewmen. Does anyone know where the aliens are kept? The ones the Caretaker sends here?" I asked.

"I think they're at the central clinic." He replied.

"Can you take us there?" Janeway stepped forward and asked.

"No, she cannot." A voice said as it entered my mind. I turned towards a group of three Ocampan as they came towards us. They were the leaders of our world. The leader of the group was Toscat.

Toscat spoke in my mind. I cringed.

"They can't speak telepathically, Toscat. Please talk aloud." I demanded. Toscat sighed.

"I didn't mean to be rude but you should not be here." Toscat snapped after glancing towards me.

"We'll be glad to leave once we find our crewmen." Chakotay stepped in.

"That won't be possible. We cannot interfere with the Caretaker's wishes." He insisted.

"Maybe you can't, but we can." Janeway snapped back.

"You don't understand." Toscat muttered towards us.

"That's right. They don't understand. They have no way of knowing that the Ocampa have been dependent on the Caretaker for so long, we can't even think for ourselves anymore. They don't understand we were once a people who had full command of our mind's abilities." I explained.

"The stories of our ancestor's cognitive abilities are apocryphal. At the very least exaggerated. " He deflected.

"We lost those abilities because we stopped using them." I shot back.

"We should not dwell on what's been lost but on all that's been gained." Toscot challenged.

"We've gained a talent for dependence, for simply taking what we're given. I'm going to help them, Toscat, whether you like it or not, and I think my friends will join me." I defended.

"You defied the Caretaker by going to the surface, Kes. Learn from the experience. Follow the path he has set for us." He begged.

"I've learned very well, Toscat. I saw the sunlight. I can't believe that our Caretaker would forbid us to open our eyes and see the sky," I turned towards the people. "Come with me. We'll find your people."

I lead then down a path towards the Medical building.

-----

Harry Kim's POV

B'Elanna and I were halfway up the long stairwell that lead to our freedom. I hope. We were carrying a shovel and a flashlight with us, but the sickness had made us weak and everything was in pain as we attempted to move on.

"Come on. Don't let it beat you, Starfleet. Come on." B'Elanna urged as we pushed on.

"I'm sorry." I said as I struggled to breath slowly.

"All right. It's all right. We'll rest a minute." B'Elanna offered. I sighed gracefully and collapsed on the stairwell to relax.

"Maybe I would do better as half a klingon." I joked. B'Elanna chuckled.

"Trust me. It is more trouble than it is worth." She replied as we set down our tools.

"You know, I spent my whole life getting ready for Starfleet. And on my very first mission, I'm going to die." I said. Whenever I thought about death, I never thought I would die this way yet here we are.

"We're not finished yet. I know a few things that old Sneezy didn't teach in his survival course." B'Elanna replied.

"Who's sneezy?" I asked.

"Commander Zakarian, remember? He must have been allergic to everything." B'Elanna chuckled.

"You went to the Academy?" I asked I will admit. I am surprised.

"Made it into the second year before we, er, we mutually agreed that it wasn't the place for me." B'Elanna replied.

"You know, I never really liked Zakarian." I said. B'Elanna nodded.

"Me neither. He sneezed too loud." She replied.

"That's one way to put it..." I said.

"You have a point there, Starfleet."

We started to laugh as we remember "Sneezy."

-----

Janeway's POV

"Voyager to away team." Rollins said through the channel.

I tapped my combadge. "Janeway here, Report."

"The pulses on the array have stopped. It's realigning its position. Captain."

"Keep me posted." I replied.

"Aye, Captain. Rollins out."

I tapped my combadge again to close the channel.

I sighed and watched as Kes entered the hospital.

A few moments later, she came running out. Without our crewmembers.

"They aren't there. They haven't been seen for hours." Kes explained as she caught her breath.

"I don't understand. Where are they?" Bini chirped from behind me.

"They probably are trying to take one of the tunnels I took to get out of here. Someone probably told them where to go. Let's head towards the one I went out of just in case." Kes suggested. I nodded and we ran after Kes towards the shafts.

Suddenly the settlement started to shake from what sounded like a weapon hitting the planet.

"Voyager to away team."

I tapped my combadge again.

"Janeway here. Report." I ordered as we got up from the ground.

"Captain, the array is firing some kind of weapon at the surface. It seems to be trying to seal the energy conduits." Rollins reported.

"Understood. Keep a channel open." I ordered and looked towards the group.

"If the array is the Ocampa's sole source of energy, why would the Caretaker seal the conduits?" Chakotay asked.

"Maybe he is dying?" Tom suggested. Janeway raised an eyebrow.

"Dying?"

"He would seal them if he no longer intended to use them, to protect the Ocampa from their enemies," Tom explained.

"Could you explain a little more?" Bini asked.

"Not after a millennium of providing for these people. I believe that the Caretaker owes something to the Ocampa. I believe the debt that can never be repaid is very likely a debt to them. Besides, there were frequent references to running out of time. I think he knew his death was imminent, but this is just from what I have heard." Tom explained.

Bini rolled her eyes.

"Everyone sounds too much like Tuvok." She muttered.

"If he dies, how the hell are we supposed to get home?" I snapped.

"We better find them fast." Kes exclaimed and gestured us to follow her.

-----

Tom Paris's POV

(About 30 minutes later.)

"I found them!" Bini cried as she pointed up the tunnel's stairwell. She slammed shut the tricorder she was given and ran up the stairwell.

"Hey! Wait up!" I called out as Kes ran past me.

"Hurry up!" Kes said as they both ran up the stairs and Janeway, Chakotay, and Tuvok entered the tunnel after scanning the area outside. I sighed and ran after them. The ground shook again but I was used to it now. The old stairwell rattled. This wasn't safe.

I don't know how long we had been running up but we finally reached them. They were crumpled against a wall, barely breathing but still awake.

Kes ran over to B'Elanna and help her up. I ran over to Harry and pulled him up.

"It took you long enough..." Harry grunted as I pulled him up.

"Sorry, but I can't just let my best pal die." I replied.

"What makes you think I am your friend?" Harry asked.

"Funny guy to the end." I muttered as Bini allowed us space to move forward. Tuvok ran past Bini to help Kes.

"What about you?" I asked. Bini shrugged.

"I am going to wait, just to make sure they make it." Bini replied. I nodded and helped Harry.

We slipped by a force field and made our way onto the surface.

"Voyager, five to be-"

Suddenly, a loud bang hit the surface. We all collapsed on the ground. Oh no, what if the away team was hit?!

Bini Filters POV

-----

"Captains?" I called out. Janeway and Chakotay appeared as they made their way towards me.

"Come on!" Janeway urged. I nodded and followed after them. Suddenly, the weapon hit again. Only this time with a lot greater force. We all stumbled as the stairwell came apart under us. Rocks fell from the ceiling hitting us from below. Janeway was the first to go down.

A giant rock hit her head and she collapsed against the floor. Chakotay yelped in pain and fell against the stairwell as one of the latches broke causing a break to happen in his leg as he fell onto an unsteady part. I fell as the stairwell shook and I slammed against Chakotay as we hit the ground.

My vision went blurry as all I could think about was how I should stop going on away missions. I pushed back my blurriness and pain as rocks fell. It increased. I was losing the battle of consciousness. This is seriously happening much too often.

-----

Bini Filters POV

I groaned as I opened my eyes. Everything hurt. Well, of course it did...

My eyes adjusted to the dark scene before me. I was onto of Chakotay, I must have fallen on him, back first when the stairwell latches broke. The stairwell was weakened. It was barley together. A little bit ahead, Captain Janeway was unconscious, there was a deep cut on her head, bleeding of course and her hair was a mess. I guess it fell apart as the ceiling came down.

I carefully moved beside Chakotay, careful that I didn't send us down to our death's. "Captain? Captain, wake up!" I demanded.

He groaned and his eyes fluttered open.

"Bini?" he said in confusion.

"Yeah, it's me. Sorry, that I am not exactly the best person in this situation but I am the best company you got." I complained.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Well...we...um...well, we fell in a very complicated way." I tried to explain. He rolled his eyes and pushed himself up. Then I noticed it. His leg was broken great. Just what I need. I shoved him down hard which caused the stairwell to shake.

"Hey, what was he-" he demanded.

"Don't finish that, your leg is broken." I stated

"Thanks for the warning." Her muttered and settled back down.

"Bini, Captain Janeway, Chakotay?" A voiced called out. It was Tom!

"Tom, get over here!" I ordered.

Tom appeared above me and gasped when he saw us.

"Bini!? Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, get Chakotay, I will get Janeway." I ordered. he rolled his eyes and helped me up.

-----

Harry Kim's POV

(One hour later.)

The Doctor had been able to cure B'Elanna and I and was currently working on the Maquis Captain's broken leg with Janeway next to him after recently being healed from a nasty blow to the head.

"Rollins to Janeway." Janeway sighed and mumbled something to the doctor then tapped her badge.

"Janeway here." She replied.

"Two kazon ships are approaching the Array."

"Set a course. I'm on my way. Janeway out." She said and raced out of sickbay.

"I have to get back to my ship. Come on Bini." Chakotay ordered and Bini and he both ran out of sickbay before the doctor could stop them. He sighed in defeat as they left and turned towards me.

"Is the crew always so difficult?" He demanded. I shrugged as I walked towards the exit.

"Sorry, Doc. I don't know. This is my first mission." I replied and ran out as red alert turned on.

"Hey! Doesn't anyone know how to turn off my program!?" He called out as the sickbay doors closed behind when I entered the corridor as fast as I could.

-----

Janeway's POV

"Bring the weapons systems online." I ordered as I entered the bridge with Tuvok and Tom. Tuvok went to his station.

"Powering up phase banks and photon systems." Tuvok ordered as his fingers danced across the console.

Red Alert was flashing throughout the ship. The lights had dimmed so that the consoles appeared brighter.

"The lead Kazon ship is hailing us, Captain." Tuvok reported from his console as Harry stepped out and took his station.

"On screen." I ordered and faced the main viewer.

Jabin, the Kazon leader we met on the planet, appeared on the viewscreen.

"Have you come to investigate the entity's strange behaviour too, Captain?" He asked as a frown appeared on his face.

"We are actually about to attempt to use the array to go home." I explained. His face twisted in anger.

"I am afraid that I cannot allow that." Jabin snarled.

"We have no dispute with you." I insisted, I felt my anger rising.

"I have a dispute with anyone who would challenge us." Jabin snapped back. Challenge? I didn- What?

"This is ridiculous. We have no intention of challenging you." I snapped back.

"And I have no intention of letting anyone with your technological knowledge board the Array." He roared, I rolled my eyes and then glared at the screen.

"Jabin, can we discuss this like two civilized-" I started to say but was cut off. Of course. Why am I not surprised?

"They're powering up their weapons." Tuvok reported as the channel ended. A strong blast rocked the ship. We all stumbled for a moment then returned to our balance.

"I guess we can't." I muttered as we were hit again.

"Shields are holding." Tuvok reported.

"Fire phasers. Evasive pattern, delta four." I ordered as I sat down in our command chairs.

-----

Bini Filters POV

Chakotay, B'Elanna and I were on our usual spot on the bridge (I was at sensors.) with ugh, Seska taking over for Tuvok. Our ship was hit with weapons fire as the large Kazon ship attacked both of our ships.

"Janeway to Chakotay. Tuvok and I are beaming to the Array. Can you hold off the Kazon?" The channel said as Chakotay received a hail from Voyager and opened it just moments before. Our ship was no match for the Kazon, can't Voyager do more.

"I think so, Captain." He replied and closed the channel. Great.

"I would just like to make it clear that we are no match for that Kazon ship! It's like a mouse fighting a dragon!" I pointed out. Seska glared at me for a moment then turned back towards her console.

"Oh, look. The Skeleton wants to feel important." Seska hissed.

"Oh, look. Prissy monkey feels the need to bully others." I hissed back.

"Well, this prissy monkey knows that the skeleton deserves what she gets." Seska snapped in a louder voice. B'Elanna rolled her eyes towards Chakotay as Chakotay smirked.

"The Skeleton knows that she isn't a skeleton and that the prissy monkey can't wait to get her hands on the big bear." I fought back. I will admit. It is pretty fun to annoy Seska. Chakotay's face turned bright red while B'Elanna tried to keep it together by not laughing while we were in a battle.

The ship was once again hit as sparks flew across the room, I saw that Seska looked ready to kill me.

"The skeleton is feeling confidence today, let's hope it doesn't get her killed!" Seska replied as we held onto our stations.

"Let's hope that the Prissy monkey is alive to know before her big fat head explodes due to being too stupid to do her damn job!" I snapped.

"Are you testing me, Skeleton!?" She roared.

"I don't know, are you stupid enough to challenge me?" I asked with a smirk on my face.

-----

Janeway's POV

We entered the dark barn on the Array. An old man was holding a banjo. The man from before with a lamp at his feet, providing some light to the dark area.

"The data processing system is behind this wall, Captain." Tuvok whispered as I glanced at his tricorder.

"You know what to do." I replied and Tuvok left. I walked towards the old man, the caretaker. He looked up at me with tired eyes.

"Well, you're nothing if not persistent." He commented as he placed his banjo next to his lamp.

"We need you to send us back where we came from."

"That isn't possible. I've barely enough strength to complete my work." He replied.

"You're sealing the conduits before you die." I said.

"If I don't, the Kazon will steal the water. But in a few years, when the Ocampa's energy runs out, it won't matter. They'll be forced to come to the surface and they won't be able to survive." He explained.

"Something you did turned their planet into a desert, didn't it? That was the debt that could never be repaid." I noticed.

"We're explorers from another galaxy. We had no idea that our technology would be so destructive to their atmosphere. Two of us were chosen to stay behind and care for them." He said.

"There's another like you here?"

"Not anymore. No, no. She went off to look for more interesting places."

"Why were you bringing ships here, infecting people with a fatal illness?"

"Oh, they didn't die of an illness. They died because they were incompatible."

"Incompatible?" I asked.

" I've been searching the galaxy for a compatible biomolecular pattern. Now, in some individuals, I found similar cellular structures, but I-"

"You've been trying to procreate?" I interrupted. He gave me an annoyed look and then nodded.

"I needed someone to replace me. Someone who'd understand the enormous responsibility of caring for the Ocampa. Only my offspring could do that."

"Did you ever consider allowing the Ocampa to care for themselves?" I suggested.

"They're children."

"Children have to grow up. We're explorers too. Most of the species we've encountered have overcome all kinds of adversity without a Caretaker. It's the challenge of surviving on their own that helps them to evolve. Maybe your children will do better than you think." I said. Suddenly, my combadge chirped.

"Voyager to Janeway." Harry's voice cut into the now silent area. I tapped my badge.

"Go ahead." I said.

"We have a problem here."

-----

Bini Filters POV

The Kazon ship had started to hit us more, we were about to be destroyed.

"Poor, poor, skeleton. You will never be able to see your family again." Seska said with a smirk. Seska knew that I have no living family members so I don't understand what her insult was.

"Well, the poor prissy monkey won't be able to see her family either, it must be doing them favour." I replied.

B'Elanna ducked as sparks flew from her console. She turned towards us. "If you two can't work out your problems with one another until after the Kazon are gone, then I will leave you on the Starfleet ship!" B'Elanna snapped.

That isn't as bad as it sounds." I said as I glared down at my console and the ship got hit again. Bulkheads exploded as I dodged the incoming debris. I scanned Voyager's systems.

"Voyager's weapons array has been hit!" I reported as another Kazon ship arrived.

"Great, they got back up." B'Elanna muttered. Chakotay spun his chair towards us. "I am beaming you over to Voyager with the crew." Chakotay said as he pressed the transporter button before anyone could protest.

-----

Harry Kim's POV

"The crew from the Maquis ship have just teleported over." I reported.

"Great. Just great." Rollins muttered from the security station.

"I'm setting a collision course, but the guidance system is disabled. I'll have to pilot the ship manually. Get the crew ready to beam to Voyager. And drop shields for transport. Paris, my crew's coming over. Tell one of your crackerjack Starfleet transporter chiefs to keep a lock on me. I'm going to try and take some heat off your tail." Chakotay ordered on the com channel. Paris nodded from the pilot station.

"Acknowledged." He said.

"But don't for one second think this makes us even, Chakotay. Your life is still mine from when I saved you with a broken leg. Paris out." He added with a smirk.

-----

Janeway's POV

Tuvok came back a few minutes later.

"Captain, I can access the system to send us back to Federation space, but it will take several hours to activate." he said as he closed his tricorder and put it on his belt.

"Unless you can help us." I said to the old man as he picked up his banjo again.

"Oh, I wish I could but I have very little time left, so I have initiated a self-destruct programme." He said and waved us off like we were nothing.

"If you destroy the Array, we'll have no way to get home." I shot back.

"The Ocampa's enemies can not be allowed to control this installation. In minutes, it'll be destroyed. You have to go. Go now." He urged.

-----

Bini Filters POV

"Voyager! Transport me now!" I yelled through the channel as my ship connected with the Kazon ship.

I appeared in Voyagers Transporter padd. My ship was gone.

-----

Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV

The ship jolted and we all stumbled and fell. The holographic walls disappeared into a bright control room. The Caretaker wasn't an old man anymore.

"Voyager to Janeway." My combadge chirped.

"Janeway here. Report." I ordered after I pressed the badge.

"A Kazon ship just collided with the array, Captain. Are you all right?" Harry asked on the other side.

"Affirmative. Stand by." I ordered and closed the channel.

The Caretaker was shrinking. "The self-destruct programme has been damaged. Now this installation will not be destroyed. But it must be. The Kazon must not be allowed to gain control of it." He insisted even as he took his last few breaths. The caretaker shrunk into a hand sized rock.

I knelt to take hold of the remains.

"And what happens to the Ocampa after we're gone?"

"Captain, any action we take to protect the Ocampa would affect the balance of power in this system. The Prime Directive would seem to apply." Tuvok insisted in his usual vulcan tone with a raised eyebrow.

"Would it? We never asked to be involved, Tuvok, but we are. We are." I replied.

-----

Bini Filters POV

Chakotay, B'Elanna and I entered the bridge with Captain Janeway and Tuvok. Tuvok took his station as Captain Janeway stood at the front of the bridge.

"Mister Tuvok, ready the tricobalt devices." She ordered.

"Aye, Captain." He replied and his fingers pressed a few buttons.

"Open a channel to the Kazon." She ordered Harry Kim.

"Aye, Captain." Harry replied and Kabin appeared on the screen. He was not happy.

"Be advised, Captain. I have called for additional ships." He warned.

"I'm calling to warn you to move your vessels to a safe distance. I intend to destroy the entire array." I shot back.

"Your bluffing." He challenged.

"Believe me, I wish I was." She replied.

"You can't do that!!" He screamed.

"They're increasing fire, Captain. End transmission." She snarled and took a deep breath in as the channel closed.

"They're increasing fire, Captain. Shields are holding." Harry reported.

"Move us four hundred kilometres from the Array, Mister Paris." She ordered.

"Aye, ma'am." Paris replied and moved away from the array.

"What do you think you're doing? The Array is the only way home!" B'Elanna protested.

"Do you even care about who we are leaving behind!?" I fought next to B'Elanna.

"I'm aware everyone has families and loved ones at homes they want to get back to. So do I. But I'm not willing to trade the lives of the Ocampa for our convenience. We'll have to find another way home." Janeway insisted.

"Excuse me?" I snapped.

The ship was rocked on weapons fire. The Kazon were getting ready to board the array.

"Tuvok, fire!" Janeway ordered. Tuvok punched the commands in and a moment later and the Array exploded.

A beeping sound filled the bridge.

"Kabin is hailing, Captain."

"On screen, Mr. Kim."

Kabin appeared on screen, he was very angry.

"You have made an enemy today." And then he closed the channel.

There was an awkward silence on the bridge for a few minutes. No one knew what to say.

"I will be in my ready room." She mumbled and almost jogged into the next room. We all glanced at each other. Unsure of what to do. She stopped right in front of the doorway. Then turned to Tuvok.

"Tuvok. Get Sarah and Micheal please." He nodded and left the bridge as Janeway entered her ready room.

-----

B'Elanna Torres POV

The bridge was silent as we watched the debris from the Array swirl around the ship.

I looked over to Bini. A few minutes had passed since Tuvok and Janeway left the bridge. I was having trouble not lashing out and punching someone.

"Who is Sarah and Micheal?" I asked Bini. Hoping to drag my violent thoughts away. The Starfleet bridge crew all snapped up to attention when I asked. They all eased down but were all suddenly depressed. I don't think it was just the fact that they weren't going home.

Bini sucked in a deep breathe and kept her eyes focused on the viewscreen.

"They are the Captain's kids." She mumbled as the turbo lift doors opened. We all watched as two confused little kids walked out of the turbo lift in front of Tuvok. Trying to get some information from him as they crossed the bridge. Unaware that people started to tear up around them as they entered the ready room.

I felt sympathy. I haven't felt that in a very long time.

-----

Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV

Tears streamed down my face as I sat at the end of the ready room. On the sofa that was only really meant for the decoration process. Dear god. What have I done? I have doomed my children and everyone on this ship.

I managed to put on a small smile as Micheal and Sarah skipped in. Tuvok merely nodded towards me and left to his post once again.

"Hi, Mommy! That was all the shaking for-"

They stopped in their tracks. I must have looked like a mess. They looked at each other for a moment then ran over to me and sat on either side.

"Mommy. What is wrong? Why are you crying?" Micheal asked.

"I made a bad decision. We won't be getting home for a while." I said.

"But Grandma Gretchen had brownies for us when we get back. Grandma will be sad." Sarah pouted. I nodded and struggled to not start crying.

"I know. But...we are somewhere where we can't get home for a very long time, Sarah."

"Will we get back by my birthday? Tommy promised we would go fishing!" Micheal commented.

I shook my head again.

"No. No, we won't." I said softly. I started to cry as the overwhelming feeling of sadness, failure and guilt crushed me. Micheal and Sarah hugged me tightly. I hugged them back and brought them closer.

"It's OK. There is always next year for fishing."

-----

Kes's POV

(Two hours later.)

Neelix has just requested we stay on the ship, Captain Janeway is still unsure. I know that they have just left their home for a long time, so I plan on making them feel as happy as possible.

"Captain Janeway, Kes and I can help you in many ways! I know this region better then you do and...well, I am known for my rather wonderful cooking skills throughout the quadrant. And Kes, she is skilled at growing food." Neelix insisted. I stepped forward.

"Also, I may be able to help your first officer. He is...he is in need of some help. This has been quite a change for him." I insisted. Janeway took a moment to think about our offer. She stood from her desk and held out her hand.

"Accepted. Welcome to the crew."

Bini Filters's POV

(Five hours later. Time: A little after dinner.)

The Voyager messhall started to clear out as B'Elanna (She wore a Starfleet Uniform: Yellow.) and I quietly ate the remains of our dinner. We had not said anything to each other since that moment on the bridge. B'Elanna slammed her fork down and ran her hand through her hair.

"Our ship is gone." She muttered in rage.

I nodded as I shoved another piece of food into my mouth.

"Yep."

"You don't seem as affected by this as I am. Starfleet got you soft or something. Great. You are brainwashed too." She snapped.

I finished the last of my meal and placed my utensils down.

"Brainwashed. What are you talking about?"

"you are just surrendering to Starfleet. Like Chakotay. Following that Fleet Captain around like a lost puppy. Her dog is even growling at him."

"I don't know about that. In his defense, he did accept being the first officer-"

"And you don't find that strange?"

"A little bit I admit."

"Exactly." She snapped and got up from her chair and stormed out. Scaring an ensign that just walked in.

I sighed and got up. I carried her plate and mine to the replicator. I pressed a few buttons and watched them vanish. I straightened my uniform. Suddenly my combadge chirped. I tapped it-

"Janeway to crew." Everyone stopped where they were. "We're alone in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We have already made some friends here, and some enemies. We have no idea of the dangers we're going to face, but one thing is clear. Both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive.

That's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew. A Starfleet crew. And as the only Starfleet vessel assigned to the Delta Quadrant, we'll continue to follow our directive to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear. Even at maximum speeds, it would take seventy-five years to reach the Federation, but I'm not willing to settle for that. There's another entity like the Caretaker out there somewhere who has the ability to get us there a lot faster. We'll be looking for her, and we'll be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts, or new technologies to help us. Somewhere along this journey, we'll find a way back. Mr. Paris. Set a course. For home."

The channel closed. I smiled to myself as I entered the corridor. At least someone was happy. Tom finally became the pilot of a starship. A lieutenant, Just like he wanted. I wonder what my job will be.

"Janeway to Filters." I felt a flutter in my stomach.

"Filters here."

"Report to my ready room."

"Aye, Captain."

I ran down the corridor.

---End of Chapter Five. Next Episode: Parralax.---