The Darkness Has No Mercy

Breakout

Kathryn woke up next, to the sound of an unfamiliar warp engine. Where was she? Then she remembered. She sat up Tom was still asleep and it was very quiet. She reached out with her thoughts. Most people were asleep. She stood up and walked over to the forcefield. Tentatively she reached out prepared to yank her hand back. She touched it and whipped her hand back. It hurt but not much and it had flared under her touch. That meant that if she could bear to touch it for long enough it should overload and short out slowly. She took off her jacket and wrapped it around her hand. The forcefield flared again as she touched it but this time it was scorching her jacket not her fingers. She pushed hard and it gave. She stumbled and was half-way through it before she felt a thing. She pulled the rest of herself through and the forcefield sealed itself behind her.

“Not many people can do that. Are you Borg?” Kathryn whipped around startled. A tall alien woman was watching her curiously. “No I’m not Borg. The forcefield was weak that’s all.” The woman smiled as if at child who’d made a mistake. “Then why didn’t the circuits blow out?” Kathryn shrugged. “Regenerative technology I expect.” The woman shook her head. “I know these systems I designed them and they haven’t been updated. You must have a body shield of some sort. That should have killed you.” Kathryn looked more interested now. “I don’t know then. Maybe it’s my telepathic abilities. Anyway, you said that you know these systems. Care to come with me; I was planning a little sabotage.” The women nodded. “Anything to get under the Trayon’s skin. They decided to sell me when I wouldn’t design a genetic weapon for them. It would have killed all Trayon’s with a certain genetic disease. Including the children. Why are you here?” Kathryn looked up from the forcefield controls. “Got caught by the Remaram. Beamed me off my ship while I still had my shields up as well.” The forcefield dropped. “Where can we do maximum damage? And what’s your name? Mine’s Kathryn Janeway.”

“Atlanta Mivore. Honoured to meet you.” She stepped over the threshold of her cell. “The main power grid is where we can do most damage but route to it is heavily guarded.” Kathryn grinned, a pure evil grin. “Leave the guards to me I have a score to settle. Besides it’s late they won’t expect trouble so they won’t be paying much attention.” She said. Atlanta paused at the end of the corridor while they let a guard stroll past; he looked neither left or right proving Kathryn’s point. “Let me guess a family death. The message was received at an odd moment and seemed genuine.” Kathryn stared at her amazed. “It’s a trick to lower morale. The Trayon use it all the time. Don’t worry about it. Have you got friends you can contact in this sector?” Kathryn thought. Voyager was probably still out of range as the Remaram had trans-warp. “The Karien might help.” Atlanta snorted. “They have a policy of non-involvement unless it’s to their advantage. They won’t come.” They ducked into the shadows as another guard passed before continuing on their way to the grid. “One of them owes me a favour. I let him live after he tried to kill me.” Atlanta looked at her askance. “You really are a strange creature. Still your mercy might pay off now.” Kathryn smiled. “I hope so. Why were you working for the Trayon when you’re not one of them?” Atlanta waited for the next guards to pass before they crossed the intersection and she explained. “I was slave without a mate. I offered to help them, preferring not to be sold. I gained their trust and learnt their systems. Then when I refused to create the weapon they locked me up. You know the rest.” Kathryn nodded and they were silent as they completed their journey to the power grid.

Atlanta paused just before they reached it and waited. Two guards rounded the corner and they both attacked. The struggle was swift and silent. The unfortunate guards were out cold in seconds. They dragged them aside and entered the room that controlled the main power grid. Atlanta showed her the communications system and set to work raising the temperature of the ship by ten degrees. Kathryn’s message was short and precise it didn’t take long to send. Atlanta seemed more relaxed. “We’d better get back. The Trayon are sensitive to temperature and will be having a hard time now; but they still have particle weapons.” Kathryn nodded and they sprinted through the ship back to their cells. They weren’t seen and Kathryn managed to slip back through the force-field again after raising the forcefield on Atlanta’s cell. Atlanta smiled. “Completely exonerated. The Trayon won’t suspect us now. You’d better go back to sleep.” Atlanta lay down and Kathryn followed suite. They were both soon asleep. A good half-hours work. She thought before dropping off.

-/\-

Kathryn woke again suddenly as the ship shook violently and she heard something crash into the hull. Tom sat up next to her confused and disorientated. The crashes continued for five minutes then all the lights went. Minutes later people began disappearing in golden particles. A Karien transporter beam. Kathryn felt herself de-materialise and smiled as she materialised in front of Mazin. “Thank you for helping us.” He smiled. “That’s alright. I’ve sent your people a message to say you’re safe. They were going frantic.” He grinned. “Since you told me about my father we’ve been making this a habit. I won’t see more innocents subjected to this kind of treatment. I’m hoping to make the Trayon’s see their slave trading isn’t worth the trouble.” She smiled. “Good for you. I hope you succeed.” With that they stepped down from the transporter pad with the five other prisoners and moved off to another part of the ship to allow more people to be beamed aboard.

After two days at transwarp they were back at Voyager’s co-ordinates. They beamed aboard and were met by Voyager’s senior crew. The Kariens were taking the other former prisoners back to their people. “Welcome back you two.” Neelix smiled as he hugged them. “It’s good to be home.” Kathryn replied. “Doctor is our child alright?” She asked. “Your baby is fine.” He answered. “Why do you ask?” Tom told him about the fake transmission. Kes looked angry. “I’m glad you’re back. Those are horrible people.” She stated simply.

After they had greeted everyone they went back to their quarters to rest. It had been a hard experience and the time on the Karien ship had been different to Voyager’s time leaving them with jet lag. They collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.