The Cloud: Part Three

Chapter 16: The Cloud: Part Three.

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Ensign Harry Kim's POV

"All stop. Damage report." The Captain ordered as she slowly got up from her command chair, unsure of herself in case of another series of sudden jolts.

"Electroplasma leaks reported on deck fourteen. Repair crews are being dispatched. Otherwise, we seem to be in one piece." I replied with a small smile at my latest attempt at humor.

"I believe the optical data network is down, Ensign." Chakotay barked at me with a glance and a scowl.

"Yes, sir. I'll get right on it." I mumbled and started on the system repair from my console.

"Fourteen injuries reported, Captain. None serious." Tuvok said from his station. The Captain sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Have you any idea where we are, Mister Paris?" She asked.

"Approximately seventy thousand kilometres from our former position. Deeper inside the creature than before." Tom said with a hopeless expression as he looked back at her than to the viewscreen again.

"Let's hope it has a slow digestive process."

"Yes, ma'am."

"We need to get back to the wound without causing a response from its defence systems. Suggestions?" She asked and turned back to look at most of the bridge as she stood just beside Tom.

"It seems to be leaving us alone now that we've cut off all propulsion systems. Maybe that's what cues it to respond. If I'm right, we might be able to get back without engaging any engines." Chakotay suggested. Tom turned around from his seat to look at Chakotay like he just lost his mind and was growing two heads.

"No engines?" Tom repeated in disbelief.

"We've been reading these swirling energy currents since we first got here. When we thought it was a nebula, we weren't looking for any pattern. We thought they were just random eddies. But now I'm wondering if these currents might be some kind of circulatory system." Chakotay added.

"Mister Kim, are you showing omicron particles in these currents?" The Captain asked.

"Affirmative, Captain." I replied.

"If the currents are distributing omicron energy throughout the life form, the circulatory system might pass right by that wound." The Captain concluded.

"We could get in one of those currents and surf back."

"Use the reaction control thrusters in drift mode only, Mister Paris."

"Aye, Captain. We're on our way. Speed, all of two hundred KPH." Tom reported as the turbo lift opened up to Neelix and Kes holding trays of food with big smiles as they entered. I think everyone is letting out a collective sigh of annoyance at them right now.

"Time for refreshment. Ailis paté, Felada onion crisps, stuffed Cardaway leaves. Yum!" He called out, holding the tray high. Captain Janeway turned around and raised an eyebrow towards him with her hands on her hips and head held high as she glared towards him.

"I appreciate the thought, Neelix, but this is hardly the time." She insisted as Neelix moved towards Tuvok and Kes awkwardly went towards a crewmember who graciously took the treat.

"As the morale officer on this ship, I insist that a break in the workload is both healthy and necessary." Neelix continued and shoved the tray closer to Tuvok. "Go on, Mister Vulcan. It might even help you loosen up. Or not."

"May I ask when you became morale officer?" Tuvok asked.

"Oh, just a few minutes ago when I sensed crew morale might be especially low. Mine certainly was. We were in a free fall at the time." Neelix cheerfully explained as in the background a crewmember snorted in amusement at Neelix.

"Cooking always helps Neelix to unwind." Kes insisted.

"Yes, and after we stabilised, I certainly needed to unwind. So, it seemed to me, I had a choice to either come up here and say I told you so."

"No." Tom rolled his eyes with a snap response. Neelix glared at him for a moment.

"Or to try to do something constructive to help out in my own humble manner. Try the stuffed Cardaway leaves. They're irresistible." Neelix added and crossed the bridge and held it up to the Captain. She gulped and gave him a weak smile before taking one. She bit half of it, which she then put a hand to her mouth and struggled to compose herself as she swallowed the rest.

"Now, as your new morale officer, I thought it might be fun for us all to sing a few songs together."

Some of the crew looked at each other in alarm. Especially Chakotay and Janeway. She looked back at Neelix and slightly raised her hand towards him to silence him.

"Don't push it, Neelix." She warned.

"Captain?" Tom called out as the ship went along the circulatory system with normal ease and passed by the wound that we saw on the viewscreen.

"Well done, Mister Paris. Take us gently out of the current. Stay in RCS drift mode." The Captain ordered.

"Aye, Captain."

The Captain tapped her combadge. "Bridge to Engineering. Miss Torres, prepare your nucleonic beam."

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Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres POV

"We're ready, down here, Captain." I said over the channel as I ran through Engineering, trying to get the systems online as Bini attempted to help while arguing with the Captain's kids as Seska kept a close eye on her in the distance. I know Seska doesn't like them but this is ridiculous.

Let's give the wound two doses to start. Five bursts at a two-second interval. Now." The Captain ordered. I slammed my fist down on the console in front of me to help the system started. There was a small jolt as the ship fired. "Analysis."

"Scanners are showing the regeneration rate up only point zero four percent. I don't know what we can hope to accomplish if this is the best we can do. The breach may simply be too large to seal." I reported as the reality hit me that we can't do what the Captain wanted.

"Sickbay to Bridge and Engineering. This is the Doctor speaking. Please activate your monitor to the Emergency Medical Holographic Channel." I growled and cursed the hologram who was wasting my damn time. I switched on a view at one of the stations. His scowling face appeared on the screen. "I believe I may have a suggestion that will help. Since no one had the courtesy to turn me off after my last consultation, I've had the opportunity to observe your progress, or lack of same. I believe a slight alteration of your treatment plan is necessary. As inspiration, I've drawn on an ancient medical technique known as a suture."

"Suture?" The Captain questioned on the com channel.

"Before the advent of laser technologies, surgical fibre was used to stitch together a wound to allow it to heal naturally." The Doctor continued.

"How does that help us?" I barked at him, my patience was wearing thin.

"Your ship's energy systems are compatible with this life form's omicron particles, are they not?"

"Um...That's right."

Then it is very likely that this vessel could serve the life form's needs in much the same manner as a suture. By allowing the ship to serve as an energy conduit across the wound, the life form should be able to regenerate itself more rapidly." The Doctor continued while holding up a padd and tapping in commands to the computer on the viewscreen in front of us.

"And how are we supposed to get the ship into the wound without getting the hell beat out of us again?" Tom demanded in the background of the Captain's com channel.

"That's your problem, not mine. Doctor out." His face disappeared and the Starfleet logo reappeared.

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Ensign Harry Kim's POV

"That's sort of like asking a hurt dog not to bite you while you tend to its wounds." Tom muttered. The Captain shifted in her chair. Suddenly she shot up with a smile and looked towards me with excitement swimming in her eyes.

"What we need to a distraction. Mister Kim? Prepare a class four microprobe." She said. I nodded and typed in the commands.

"Aye, Captain." I replied.

"Lieutenant, if I gave you a short burst from our thrusters, would it be enough for you to manoeuvre into the breach in ten seconds?"

"I'd feel better if I had twenty." Tom insisted. The Captain walked over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Once we launch that probe as a diversion, you might have ten, maybe even less than that." She explained. Tom gulped and turned away from her with a nod.

"Ten sounds good." He replied weakly.

"Mister Kim, status?"

"Microprobe is loaded and ready."

"Set coordinates for launch at one sixty mark seven zero. Cut power after five hundred metres. I don't want to hurt this life form again."

"Acknowledged."

"Engineering, I'll need a one second burst from our aft-thrusters on my order." The Captain said over her com channel.

"Standing by." B'Elanna replied from engineering.

"Launch microprobe. Thrusters."

"Firing."

"Reading multi-polar charges, high frequency."

"Shields at seventy five percent and holding."

"Maintain position. Engineering, direct two nucleonic beams fore and aft, parallel to the central axis of the ship."

"Acknowledged. Beam engaged. Captain, I'm showing a rapid growth pattern along the wound."

"Regenerative matter approaching from both directions at just under five hundred kilometres per hour."

"Hold position."

"Captain, the shields are only designed to withstand -"

"I am aware of that, Mister Tuvok. Hold position."

"Regenerative matter approaching. Range, thirty kilometres, fore and aft."

"Engineering, ready full thrusters. Mister Paris?"

"Just tell me when."

"Regenerative matter at twenty kilometres. Fifteen. Ten."

"Disengage nucleonic beam. Fire thrusters."

The voices spun together and faded away in my mind. I no longer cared who was saying what, as long as I answered them when I needed and etc. I had become a expert at this for years as late-night academy nights left me exhausted and barely functioning for the next class.

"Thrusters engaged." Torres barked, snapping me out of my imagination.

"Now, Mister Paris!"

"Forty thousand kilometres to the perimeter. Thirty thousand." Tom called out.

"The life form's regeneration rate is up forty percent, Captain. Looks like it's well on the way to closing that wound." Chakotay reported.

"We've cleared the central mass." Tom said with relief as almost everyone sagged in relief.

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(Time: 8 pm.)

Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV

"Captain's Log, supplemental. We set out to augment our energy reserves and wound up depleting them by over twenty percent. As a result, we've set a new course for a planet fourteen light-years away that Neelix says might have compatible energy sources to offer us. It is out of our way, but circumstances offer few alternatives. So much for raising spirits." I almost ended up mumbling the last part and quickly ended the log as I collapsed onto my ready room sofa and looked at my feet as Mollie slowly walked over and collapsed at my feet. Blissfully falling asleep as I decided to slip from the sofa and fall to the floor. Softly petting Mollie's head.

She licked my hand and relaxed again. I smiled as I realized I finally could hear nothing except the relaxing humming of the warp core and vibrations running through the deck plates as I couldn't help but be happy. For the past 48 hours, I have been thrown around, watched my ship get damaged. Have had to settle a war between an angry B'Elanna Torres and sarcastic Bini Filters. I have had to make Micheal and Sarah go to the holodeck to give me peace, only to be destroyed by Chakotay walking in with more reports and his mother hen tendencies, informing me that I need to eat. Finally, he left and I never did my log, so I did it...and now...silence. Just silence.

"Computer, time." I said softly. As to not wake the sleeping dog at next to me as I continued to pet her.

"The time is 20:45."

Almost 9 pm. I groaned as I got up, my stiff bones making it difficult to move but loosened up once I strentched my arms. I felt bad. It has been a rough day for Mollie. But, it was time to get off duty. I was supposed to be off duty two hours ago...heh. Chakotay is probably going to lecture me about this tomorrow.

I woke Mollie up, Mollie growled disappointed at me then as any loyal dog to her owner would. Got up and followed after me as I entered the bridge and the Beta shift. Harry seemed to also be working late as he finished up explaining something to a young crewmember then quickly turned over his station as I gave him a smile and the nod of a head in a greeting and entered the turbo lift with Mollie, Harry quickly moved in beside me just before it closed.

"Turning in for the night, Captain?" Harry chirped with his usual innocent banter and childlike nature.

"Actually, I'm going to talk to an animal and then turn in. Something Commander Chakotay taught me. It's supposed to be quite therapeutic. You might want to ask him about it." I suggested.

"I will."

The turbo lift opened and Harry stepped out and stopped at the door frame, then turned towards me with a nervous expression as he fiddles with his fingers.

"Captain?"

"What is it, Ensign?" I asked with a soft voice.

"Well, I don't mean to be out of place, but if you'd care to join us, you'd be welcome."

Now, I was very confused. Join. Join where?

"Join you where?" I asked. I swear I saw Mollie's eyes widen as she looked from Harry to I with a small whimper of exhaustion.

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Lieutenant Bini Filters POV

Tom and I stood in the dark corner of Sardines as the crew mingled with each other and the holograms. For an outsider's view, say...the Captain's view, it would seem as if the Maquis and Starfleet were finally merging as one crew. But Tom and I both knew that was not the case, just like anyone else trying to get through this without getting killed.

In our case, we were failing. We both knew it was my felt.

"What were you thinking?! You almost got us killed today by Seska and her little goons!" Tom snapped in a harsh voice.

"Keep your voice down! I didn't mean for them to follow me. It just kinda happened. What was I supposed to do? Let them run around engineering without help, despite the fact that I am now labelled as their second caretaker just because-" Tom waved me silent.

"I get it. But, it is going to get us killed!" He insisted.

"Don't you think I know that?! I can't just abandon them!" I shot back.

"What is happening? Are your maternal instincts kicking in!? They have the Captain, they have a mother!" Tom snapped and pointed towards Sarah and Micheal as they played pool with Tuvok and his raised eyebrow as they knocked another ball in and cheered, causing people around them to either be annoyed or smiling with joy.

"No! It is just...Um..." I stammered out. Unsure of how to project what I was thinking. Tom rolled his eyes and slumped against the wall, pinching his nose.

"Oh no. I see what is happening here." He mumbled. I straightened up and stiffened.

"Excuse me?"

"You are like their big sister and they told you this, causing you to go into denial." He snapped back.

"You have lost your mind, officially now." I barked back.

"Don't you see it? You are like their big sister." He argued. I did see his point. But that was ridiculous.

"How are we going to get out of this?" I asked as I kinda just accepted it. I was too tired to fight this.

"I don't know. I suppose we could make a deal with her." Tom suggested.

"Making a deal...with that witch?"

"Would you prefer she killed you with that torture device in your skull and I die from an "accident?" Tom asked.

"Well, we can't just let her wreak our lives based on the fact that she needs info on the ship. If she wants the info she is going to need to give us a little bit of freedom."

"Fine. Let's hope we will wake up tomorrow to see this through." He snapped and walked off towards the pool table.

"Let's hope." I muttered and followed after him. I weaved through the room and reached the table, just as Tom convinced Chakotay to a game and Micheal and Sarah had finished up.

"Hi, Bini!" Sarah chirped. I put on my best darn smile and looked down at her.

"Hi, Sarah."

"Why haven't you hanged out with us recently?" She pouted, giving me puppy dog eyes in the process.

"I-I have been busy recently. You know how it is...reports and such." I laughed nervously. Micheal gave me an expression that told me he wasn't buying it, Sarah seemed to just accept it at face value of course. We turned to the table as Tom and Chakotay started their game, Chakotay was in the lead as he sunk another ball. Casting a sly smirk to Tom, who was gritting his teeth as Ricky hanging onto him.

"Come on, Tommy. Let's get out of here." Ricky pleaded as Chakotay got another one in.

"Easy, honey. I'm setting the Indian up for the big hustle." Tom argued back as Chakotay shot but missed.

"But...he's beating you." Ricky concluded as she pulled back and stood beside him with her head held high and her hands on her hips as Tom took a shot and missed.

"Yeah, that's exactly what he's supposed to think, too." Tom replied, but everyone knows he was lying to keep his pride intact. The holodeck doors opened in the distance and the Captain and Harry entered. Everyone immediately stood to attention.

"As you were." She said with a smile. People welcomed her in and continued on their evening. "Well, this is remarkable. Mister Kim tells me this is your doing, Mister Paris."

They crossed the room and Janeway leaned against the pool table as Harry stood beside her with a big grin of triumph.

"Er, yeah. It's just a little diversion, Captain." Tom said with a wink as the dude from earlier named Gigolo I think, made his way towards us. I thought I deleted him-

"One always knows when a woman of good breeding enters the room. Ma cherie, may I request your favourite song so that we may dance before I take you to my private felucca on the wharf and make passionate love to you."

Everyone in the earshot of that took a moment to stop and either giggle, look embarrassed, etc. I covered my mouth in an attempt to stop laughing as Tom mentally had a heart attack and Chakotay back off a few steps to start laughing. Micheal and Sarah's jaws dropped as even Mollie seemed aware of what had happened as she barred her teeth at the cheeky hologram.

"I'm sorry. I-if I had some kind of warning that-that you were coming-"

"You would have changed it and I would've missed all the fun." The Captain replied as she (literally) shoved him aside.

"Would that have been such a bad thing?" I asked. The Captain shrugged.

"Depends on who-" She stopped once she saw her children and raised her eyebrow towards them. They gave her a weak smile and backed up behind me. "Aren't you two supposed to be in bed?"

"Whoops?" Micheal said.

I looked beside me, knowing that I probably shouldn't listen to a mother scold her kids. I saw that Gary had moved to stand behind B'Elanna and bent down to whisper in her ear.

"I just don't know what the dolls see in the gigolo, do you? Now, I got a whole different approach to women. Treat a lady like a tramp and a tramp like a lady. Never fails."

B'Elanna straightened up and looked at Tom across the table.

"Tom, did you program this guy?" She asked. Tom shifted nervously.

"Um...yeah. Why?"

"He's a pig, and so are you."

"Almost never." Gary muttered as he walked away from the scowling Klingon.

"Is this pool or billiards?" The Captain asked.

"Er, pool." Tom replied.

"Right. Pool's the one with the pockets. Would you mind if I gave it a try?" She asked Gigolo over here maneuvered his way through the room

"Reculez-vous. Give the handsome young woman some room." He called out with vain attempts to look important. Then he stopped next to me and looked down at me. "Tell me, does she have, er, money?"

"What the hell is money?" I asked. He gave me a disgusted look then rushed off as the Captain pointed towards Chakotay's cue.

"Commander Chakotay, your stick?"

"It's called a cue, Captain."

"A cue. All right. So what do we do? Do I go first?" She asked. Micheal and Sarah started snickering to each other in front of me. Tom quickly explained the game to her, she nodded and moved forward to break. She broke all right. She made three of the balls slip right into that pockets, clearly, she played everyone. She stood up as everyone's jaws almost hit the floor.

"Solids." She called out. Tom sucked in a deep breathe as he relieased that he was about to lose again.

"I saw that coming a mile away, didn't you? Ah, you've got a lot to learn, jeune homme. But then, ah, I've got a lot to teach." Sandrine commented to Harry a few meters away as Harry weakly nodded.

"Eightball in the side pocket." She announced again and shot that eightball straight into the pocket.

((Janeway-A-koo-chee-moy-a. We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers and from the bones of our people. But perhaps there is one powerful being who will embrace this good crew and give them the answer they seek.))

---End of Chapter 16: Next: ???---