TimeOut [Part 21]

by ALM_Voyager

"Mr. Tuvok," the acting Pilot cut through the silence of the bridge and immediately drew Harry Kim's attention as well. "Sensors are reading two more Raylexian ships approaching," he stated.

"Their weapons are fully charged," Harry stated grudgingly. He knew all hell was about to break loose. He just hoped that Chakotay and B'Elanna had gotten the Captain out of there.

Tuvok stood up and walked forward, "On screen."

Outside the two ships ominously circled the Raylexian ship that held Janeway and then turned to circle Voyager.

"We're being hailed," Harry Kim stated.

Tuvok nodded for the transmission to be put through and was greeted with a death stare from a Raylexian Captain, "You will surrender yourselves."

"I do not understand" Tuvok calmly stated. "What is the meaning of this."

"You have besieged our ship . . . taken what is ours . . . and you have the audacity to feign your innocence? At least *we blatantly spoke our intentions to you. This only serves to further the proof that there is no honor among your kind."

"They've cut us off," Kim stated and gazed at Tuvok wondering what would happen next. They didn't have long to wait as Tom's Shuttle came into not only full view of Voyager's viewscreen but also of the two Raylexian ships. They immediately started firing.

"Who launched that shuttle," Tuvok addressed the bridge.

"Sir," the Pilot offered, "there is no record of a shuttle launch!"

Harry Kim left his post and started forward, "Chakotay is on there with the rest of them . . . and hopefully . . the Captain."

"Ensign, you have knowledge of what the Raylexian Captain was speaking of?" Tuvok's eyebrow raised.

"Yes sir, but . . it was the only way," he started to explain but it fell on deaf Vulcan ears.

"Perhaps by your logic . . . I am sure that many, including the Captain would have disagreed. Lieutenant Dryer," Tuvok turned to one of the bridge staff, "Escort Ensign Kim to the brig."

"You can't be serious!" He looked helplessly at Tuvok. "What are you going to do?"

"That is for me to decide," the Vulcan turned his back on Harry.

"You can't just leave them out there!" Harry yelled before being led off of the bridge.

"Mr. Tuvok?" The lone pilot gulped, awaiting a command.

Tuvok turned to the Ensign manning his usual consol, "Lock Phasers and fire." He turned back to the pilot, "Initiate a tractor beam and pull them to safety. I will be in the shuttle bay . . . waiting."

The newly returned shuttle's hatch raised open and Chakotay appeared from behind it within seconds. Tuvok noted that he carried the Captain in his arms. "Commander, you must explain yourself."

"Not *now, Tuvok. Can't you see Kathryn is critically injured," he was incredulous.

"My first priority *is to the Captain," Tuvok stepped in front of Chakotay, and continued, "and she would want order on her ship at all costs. If that means I am to detain you first . . ."

". . . .Like HELL you'll 'detain me'" Chakotay roared and pushed his body past the Vulcan. "Stand down," he stated to the security team, "that's an order." He could tell that they were seriously doubting what they were doing, so he added, "or do you want to be responsible for her death?" With that they moved aside and Chakotay left the shuttle bay.

Tuvok turned to the two remaining officers, unfazed, "this will be permanently accounted for on you Starfleet records."

Tom took hold of B'Elanna's hand and they started to move forward but B'Elanna stopped right in front of Tuvok's face and grinned, "What Starfleet record?" she reminded him.

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PART 22
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Email: ALMcKenzie@aol.com