A Moment of Your Time
[Part 3]

by ALM_Voyager

"Three fifty two in the morning and they decide to make first contact," Chakotay muttered as he walked onto the bridge that was filled with the nameless late-night/ early morning shift. Yes, they were all nameless -- was anyone really familiar on this damned Voyage. Kim, a familiar face, stood up from the Captain's chair.

"Mr. Kim," he stated, "how long have they been waiting."

"I told them you were on your way," he said rapidly, "about ten minutes ago, but they didn't want to wait. They threatened to bump Voyager's hull."

Chakotay wanted to let loose a laugh -- it reminded him of stories of earlier earth days and something known as road rage -- they had discussed it at length in his study of psychology at the Academy. "Ten minutes is a long wait when you're in the Delta Quadrant. Open the channel," he stated.

"I am Commander Chakotay. What is it that we can help you with?" he asked softly -- to softly when his gut wanted to release more than one ounce of pent up frustration.

"Help us with?" The alien on the viewscreen had yellow pigmentation and his eyes were solid orbs of red -- there was an insect-like quality to his humanoid form. "You have refused us trade!"

Chakotay turned to Ensign Kim, who stepped forward a bit. "They wanted the transport technology," he muttered.

The other species picked up on the words, "And in exchange we had offered an honorable trade -- cartography skills and maps of the expanse ahead!"

"I'm sorry but we won't be going in that direction. Voyager was only here on idle while we explored--" Chakotay was cut off when the transmission ended.

"They're locking onto our main hull," Kim was already in action as was most of the night crew.

Chakotay looked at the young female pilot, as her fingers moved shakily across the expanse of buttons for evasive maneuvers. Most of them had agreed to the shift because, supposedly, nothing every happened. They were unprepared, and at best, inexperienced for head on collisions with First Contacts gone wrong.

"Get a lock on their weaponry," Chakotay bit out but no one responded. Turning he saw the tactical station manned by a frozen man. Even the young pilot with the shaky fingers had ceased to shudder. No one was moving -- again. Damn time -- 'Time time time,' his mind screamed as he was thrown to the bridge floor as Voyager rocked against a blast.

Looking up and then finally regaining his stance he realized that the other ship wasn't frozen -- only Voyager. 'We'll never survive!' his mind screamed at him as if he wouldn't acknowledge another imminent demise. What was one more after fifteen or more of them?

Rushing from station to station he consulted what data he could and watched as the shield modulations failed and then finally the entire force that kept out the weapons fire gave way entirely. The console erupted into electrical charges and sparks and he yelled out in pain as the side of his face was burned. It was in this moment that everything unfroze and Kathryn Janeway stepped out of a turbolift onto the bridge.

Chakotay had never seen anything more beautiful in his life -- a saving grace -- but how long would she continue to be fully active in saving them from this attack when time kept slipping away onboard.

"What the hell happened?! How did we lose our shields so quickly?" She exclaimed, "Status!" she took a look at Chakotay's face and winced before returning back to the mayhem that had greeted her upon arrival.

"I don't know how," Kim's voice was frantic, "Captain, they're cutting their way through the hull--!" he yelled.

"To where?!" Kathryn's voice was full of energy and she knew her face was giving away more of her concern than was permissible.

"To the bridge!" Chakotay stated as he looked up and saw an alien intruder jump down into the path of Kathryn. Several others followed and he watched with horror as they drew weapons.

"Arm yourself!" Kathryn gave the order but a moment too late as the lead intruder turned on her with an energy blast.

"No!" Chakotay yelled as he saw Kathryn fall backwards from the blast, a green ray of light expanding itself into her abdomen and which stayed where it was -- flashing as it pulsated but never ending. He turned to see that everything once again had stopped.

He looked around and realized that it was now or never. Moving to one of the main console, off to the left of the center of the bridge, he stated, "Computer transfer full bridge control to console three five one - authorization Chakotay gamma two."

"Transfer complete," it stated as Chakotay moved over the data. He wiped away the sweat that was begin to bead on his forehead. "Aft force fields to damaged section of hull plating," he tried and watched as the computer complied. The main data stream stayed the same but the computer had been able to add new commands.

Working forcibly he tried to ignore the violent scene on the bridge. Guiding his fingers dejectedly over the console he locked onto the aliens on the bridge, "Computer detail current time stream."

"Time stream is invariable," it stated. "Time to reinstate in one minute fifty three seconds."

It didn't leave for much time -- and their lives depended on it -- Kathryn's life depended on it. What would they . . . what would he do without the Captain? "Lock onto the intruders and beam directly to the other ship," he ordered never once faltering, "Lock onto Captain Janeway for emergency transport to sickbay and go to warp eight when time reinstates." He only had one chance.

"Twenty three seconds remaining," it stated. And Chakotay stood, phaser in hand and aiming it at endless attackers. How could he pick and choose who he would save and who he would let die if this failed? Who was to save him? Gods be merciful, he prayed and wished that he hadn't left so soon from the dream and his guide. He had more than one initiator of the quest to save this day.

Kathryn Janeway gave a painful cry as the energy beam traveled through the muscles of her stomach and into her abdomen setting her nerves on fire. She watched as Harry fell to the ground and caught only a glimpse of a blue sparkling of transport initiated before she lost consciousness.

CONTINUED IN PART 4!

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