Kathryn stared out the window of the transport. Her head resting against the window, years of dirt and grime obstructing most of the view. She sat in the back, oblivious to the other women who surrounded her; women from other planets.
This punishment would be worth it; if only Chakotay, her one saving grace, had been with her. She sighed and turned her eyes to the other inhabitants of the transport. All looked about as dejected as she felt. Quiet, deep in their own thoughts. All too absorbed to notice her watching them. ‘So much the better,’ Kathryn thought.
Kathryn tugged at the coarse dress she had been given. It rubbed against her skin, irritating it in places. She scratched, then turned her attention back to the window. Chakotay and she had been given a few minutes together before being separated. A few precious minutes that she knew would have to be carried with her for the rest of her days. Priceless moments carried for eternity. As the landscape of brown, dusty yellows, oranges and reds passed her, she thought of those few minutes.
**
They were taken from the hall of judgment to a small room within the same building. The attendants gave them scratchy clothes with instructions to remove their uniforms; their last ties to the past. Again, they had turned from each other and changed. Their uniforms were taken and they were left alone with each other. A few moments to commit to memory.
“Well, Kathryn. I guess this time, it’s really goodbye,” he said. Chakotay took a step toward her, not quite sure how this would end between them.
“I guess so,” Kathryn said quietly. “I didn’t think our journey would end like this.” She also took a step toward him.
Chakotay scrutinized her face and features. He wanted to remember Kathryn as more then a defeated woman in something other then her uniform. “Given the chance, you’d do this again. Wouldn’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. She cleared her throat and looked up at him. “It’s just that I had so many other plans.”
“I know,” was all Chakotay said. He reached out with his hand and brushed her hair away from her face. He tucked the strand behind her ear and ran his hand so his thumb could delicately brush against her cheek. She reached her hand up to do the same. Quiet stretched between them as they carefully committed the touch and feel, the sight of each other to take with them.
“I thought, that we’d never see this moment,” Chakotay began, “I was prepared, you know. For that day when one of us didn’t make it back. I’d resigned myself to that kind of fate. Yet here we are. Both of us are alive and yet. . .”
“Yet separated,” Kathryn finished. “I know, Chakotay. I have, too. I’d made sure I was prepared to face reality.” She sighed, allowing her fingers to finally trace the tattoo that had intrigued her for years. “But I’m not ready, Chakotay. I’m not ready to say good-bye.” She allowed her finger to trace into his hair where she knew that the tattoo continued.
“Neither am I,” Chakotay said. The door behind Kathryn opened. Their time was close to being up.
“I hate good-bye’s,” Kathryn said, looking into the soft eyes of her best friend. “Remember when we were left on New Earth? I had to tell the crew good bye for both of us?”
“Yes.”
“It still holds true now. I’ve said good bye to them. Now I have to tell you good bye.” She gave him a crooked smile as a tear trailed down her cheek.
“No, Kathryn,” Chakotay said as the attendants came up beside each one, to take them away. He lowered his hand so it rested against her chest, between her breasts. “Not goodbye. Until we see each other again.”
Kathryn placed her hand against his chest as the attendants came behind them. “I’ll always be here. One way or another,” she said, trying to find away to say what couldn’t be told.
“And I’ll always be here,” he said, then gently pulled her against him, holding her to him. She wrapped her arms around him.
She smiled at his statement. “Promise me?”
“Promise what, Kathryn?” Chakotay said.
“That if you find a way, no matter how small, you’ll escape,” Kathryn said.
“I will. Will you promise me the same, Kathryn? That you’ll find a way to live, to survive this, no matter what?” Chakotay looked down at her head. She nodded. Kathryn looked up at him and knew that he would try everything to fulfill his promise.
“Take care of yourself, Chakotay,” she said, pulling away. The attendants stepped forward, breaking the bond between the two. Hands that had gripped the upper arm slid down, grasping elbows, sliding down to wrists, to clasped hands to finally outstretched fingers reaching for the other. The attendant assigned to Kathryn pulled her along. She continued to reach for him. She gave him her last words; words he wanted to commit to memory.
“We will find a way,” her voice cracking.
“Do you honestly believe that?” Chakotay said, quietly. Kathryn looked up at him, her eyes as clear as possible.
I have too, Chakotay. I know no other way,” she said, determination in her voice.
She placed her hand where his had been earlier. “You’ll always be here,” she said, being pulled through the door. Her last sight of her friend was one she burned into her mind. One of him holding his hand against his chest, Kathryn knowing that she’d always be right there with him. She shot him a look, one he knew all too well.
***
Kathryn was oblivious to the tear that fell from her eye, sliding down the side of her nose. She almost wished she'd been given the choice. She didn’t want to live like this, like some sort of slave. Kathryn Janeway was a leader, a scientist, an explorer. Not someone’s property. But that is what she’d become. Yet, if she could fight, then Kathryn would.
She was surprised a short time later to feel the seat slope down beside her. She looked to see a young alien woman sitting beside her. Bright red hair, eyes with slit pupils. Long fingers that were unnaturally long. She smiled shyly at Kathryn. It was an honest smile.
“You’re from the sky?” She asked. Kathryn looked at her sidelong, not really wanting to get into conversation.
“I guess you could say that,” she looked back out the window. “How do you know Standard?”
“You don’t remember? You had a translator implanted in your skull. It allows you to understand and be understood by any and all beings.” She reached across Kathryn and rubbed at the window. “My name is Marcole.”
“Kathryn,” she said. The attempt at rubbing off the grime on the window had been useless, just as Kathryn had known it would be.
“You’re very lucky, escaping the death penalty like you did,” Marcole said, her hands articulating along with her mouth. “But you weren’t the ones who actually committed the crimes, were you?” Kathryn looked at this woman and was amazed that she knew so much.
“No,” she said, her eyes narrowing at her seat mate. “How did you know?”
Marcole smiled and looked around. “I know much. I make it my place to know the events around here. You know; be informed.”
“How lucrative,” Kathryn said, turning back toward the window. She wasn’t in the mood to talk anymore. She wasn’t in the mood for anything.
“Look,” Marcole began, ignoring Kathryn’s disinterest in her. “There are a few things you should know, since you are unfamiliar with the customs of these people.” Kathryn turned, interested now.
“Really?” Kathryn said.
“First, never give them a reason to punish you. They are ruthless. There are both male and female guards and both can do equal harm. Never try to be a hero, start a rebellion. They even think you’re conspiring to create upheaval, they’ll kill you on the spot.”
“But—,“ Kathryn began.
“No buts. I know what you were, who you are. Your former life, your rank, mean nothing here. Here, you’re just another prisoner, convicted and sentenced. The life you once knew, is no longer. You’re going to have to accept it.”
Kathryn sat up straight and looked directly into Marcole’s eyes. “I don’t take too kindly to threats.” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t have to accept anything.”
“And if you don’t accept it, Kathryn, believe me when I say you won’t make it a week. There is a lot you’re going to have to forget.”
“I don’t want to forget,” Kathryn said. “I will find a way out of here.” She rubbed at her arm, hating the feel of the fabric on her skin.
“Try. You won’t get far,” Marcole replied, oblivious to Kathryn’s demeanor. “All you are, is all that is here. All that you will be, ends when we reach the camp. This,” Marcole indicated to Kathryn’s simple dress and boots, “is all that you represent. The other prisoners here don’t care that you were once the captain of a ship. They don’t care you came from some distant place.”
“I’ll try anything once.”
“And you’ll pay for it. Let me finish. You work. You eat. You sleep. You work fourteen hours a day. You are fed three times, no more, no less unless you’re being punished for an indiscretion. You sleep a total of six hours. You don’t get your fill, too bad. You deal with it. You’ll eat the food, no matter what it is. They want you to keep up your strength.”
“What’s our incentive to behave,” Kathryn asked sarcastically.
“If you’re lucky, you’ll be chosen.”
“For what?”
Something passed over Marcoles face. Kathryn tried to recognize it, but couldn’t. “No one knows,” Marcole said, quickly. “All we know is that is a lot better existence then the mines. Or so I’ve been told,” Marcole said, validating her answer.
Kathryn’s suspicious nature got the best of her. “How do you know?”
Marcole gave her an awkward smile. “I’ve known too many people sent here. Too many sent to the camp where your friend was sent. It’s no secret what goes on here.” The transport was beginning to slow down. Marcole leaned closer to Kathryn’s ear. “I hope you’re a light sleeper.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s when the men come. Only to the ones who sleep heavy or are so exhausted they can’t fight are the ones that they have their way with. That’s why you have to remain strong. Never give them reason to punish you. Ever,” Marcole finished. Kathryn looked at her skeptically.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Kathryn replied, not really sure she would.
**
The transport stopped and the women were herded off the bus like cattle. Kathryn found herself in somewhat a poor position. She was by far, the smallest woman in this group. The guards, looking like so many Kathryn had seen in her explorations, were outfitted to show their domination and that they should be feared.
Black body suits, much like Seven had worn on Voyager. They accentuated by what Kathryn took to be leather bands. Their belts carried weapons designed to inflict not just pain, but terror in those who thought they could fight. Women and men both circled the group of women.
Kathryn was near the end of the line, not wanting to get any closer then absolutely necessary. She never liked being sized up. Not by Admirals, commanding officers, self righteous aliens. Never. Kathryn let her distaste show plainly on her face. Marcole elbowed her, in a reminder that she didn’t have a chance to escape, no matter how hard she tried.
“You will eat what you are given.” Kathryn heard the guard say. “You don’t, then you go without until the next meal. You will only wear the clothes you are given, nothing else.” The guards walked back and forth in front of the women, stopping occasionally in front of one to make a point.
“Furthermore, you will not rest while you are working. We have set times, where you may sit for a brief time and drink water. There are no special concessions made. If you cannot work in the mines, you will be found jobs elsewhere to serve.” The man speaking seemed to Kathryn to be a man of no reckoning. She didn’t like that idea much but was resigned to see this through.
“Discipline is given to those who squander time. Don’t think you can escape, you can’t. You may not whisper, talk in groups, conspire against us. Rebellion will be met with force.” By now the guard was in front of Marcole and Kathryn. “Any questions?”
“If we behave,” Marcole began, “will you read us a bedtime story?” Her question was meant by a vicious backhand, which sent her sprawling to the ground. Kathryn looked quickly to the guard and then knelt down beside Marcole.
“Let that be a lesson to you. You don’t want to suffer the same fate as your sister, now do you?” The guard said.
“Is this the only way you can keep order, by bullying those smaller then you?” Kathryn said, putting an arm beneath Marcole’s and helping her to her feet.
The guard sneered at Kathryn. Without warning, he reached out a muscular arm and grabbed Kathryn by her throat. “You will last longer if you keep your nose out of that which doesn’t concern you.” He released her and she fell to the ground.
Marcole helped Kathryn to her feet. Kathryn rubbed at her neck, still feeling the stinging of the grasp. “I told you,” Marcole whispered. “don’t do anything to bring attention to yourself. You’re lucky he didn’t snap it.”
Kathryn looked at Marcole sideways. “I guess I am.”
“Don’t fight it. You’ll only end up broken by the time they finish with you.”
“I will never break.”
Marcole scuffed at the ground as she walked beside Kathryn. “Never say never.”
**
Chakotay was deep in thought as he sat at the back of his transport. His last few moment with Kathryn kept repeating through his head. He knew her fierce determination. When Kathryn Janeway said she’d find a way, she usually did. But he felt apprehensive about the whole situation.
Only this time, he hoped she wasn’t biting off more then she could chew.
Who would have thought. A small, insignificant indiscretion by two of Voyager’s crew could end them up like this? And of all people, Samantha Wildman and Ayala. Certainly nothing bad enough to warrant death.
Chakotay looked out into the day. The landscape was a gross combination of the best of Earth, only here, it looked oddly out of place and false. He sighed. One decision had put him here. He’d only agreed because of Kathryn. She wasn’t about to let Samantha be arrested for something she had no idea would infuriate the local government. Chakotay himself, wasn’t about to let Kathryn take the entire blame for both the crewmen. Besides, Ayala had saved Chakotay’s butt one to many times for Chakotay to not return the favor. His mind drifted back to the scene in her ready room, before this nightmare had begun. . .
**
. . .”I can’t believe this!” Kathryn said, fuming. She paced in front of her couch like some trapped animal. Her hands articulating almost as fast as her mouth moved.
“Neither can I,” Chakotay replied, watching her as he leaned against the railing.
“It was a slip in procedure,” Kathryn said, basically ignoring Chakotay. “All they had done was go to the aid of someone they thought was in trouble.”
“How were they to know that the old man had been a prisoner who’d escaped? They were only helping someone they saw in need, someone who was hurting from a long fall,” Chakotay finished, staring off into space.
“And now, just because we have been taught to regard all life as precious, we have to let two of our crew mates suffer at these. . .” Kathryn paused so her words would be more dramatic, “beings hands.” Kathryn ran a hand through her hair, one ending up on her hip.
“What do you plan on doing?” Chakotay asked, taking the break in her speech as an opportunity to butt in.
“Well, I’m certainly not going to allow Samantha to be taken from this ship. Not when we have Naomi to consider. . .”
Chakotay finished the thought. “. . .and I’m not about to let Ayala be brought up on charges either. Even though they are back on earth, he has three little boys. . .”
Kathryn walked over to the railing and smacked it with an open palm. “I refuse to let them take punishment for this.” She stepped down and to her monitor.
“Harry,” she began, “I want you to hail the local official, Talmex. I want to talk with him.”
“Aye, captain,” came Harry’s curt reply.
Kathryn looked at Chakotay. “I’m going. Samantha will not be taking the blame for this.”
Chakotay put his hands on his hips, something he’d unconsciously picked up from Kathryn. “I’m not letting you step into the lion’s den alone, Kathryn. And, I’m not about to let Sam and Ayala be punished for a simple act of kindness.”
Kathryn’s mouth had moved up into a crooked grin. “Then we do this together.” She turned back to the screen in time to see the local official’s face appear on her screen.
The natives of Bominia II were very human in appearance. But the planet held a wide variety of aliens; most Kathryn had come to find out later, were prisoners of the planet. Taken and punished for crimes similar to what Sam and Ayala had been accused of. The local administrator looked up at Kathryn on the view screen.
“Talmex,” Kathryn said, giving him the warmest smile she could muster.
“Captain Janeway. To what do I owe this visit?”
“The crime for which two of my crew are accused,” Kathryn began, “is there any way we can work this out?”
The fat, balding Talmex steepled his fingers in front of him. To Kathryn, the planet had a simple case of ‘those who had and those who didn’t’. “I’m sorry, Captain. My hands are tied. We believe that when those who are sick, old, diseased, malformed, can no longer perform in society, they must be allowed to die in any matter which is presented to them.”
Kathryn sighed and rolled her eyes. “Where I come from, it’s just a fancy way of saying euthanasia.” Chakotay held back a chuckle. “Surely, there is a way to spare the lives of my crew members.”
Talmex held out his hand in front of him, admiring the gaudy rings on his pudgy fingers. “There is.”
Kathryn waited in silence for a few minutes, waiting for an explanation. “Well?” She said, throwing her arms in the air.
Talmex leaned in closer. “Two other members of your crew must be tried for the other’s crimes. Same sex. They must stand trial.”
“That sounds fair enough,” Chakotay replied.
“But,” Kathryn prodded. She knew there had to be more.
“However, you cannot plead innocent. To do so, would mean the immediate death of the person who so declared the statement.”
Kathryn leaned in, glaring at him as she would any hard nosed alien who didn’t play by her book. “You’re telling me, that you will convict and carry out sentence on a being, even if they are innocent.”
“I just enforce the laws, captain. I don’t write them.” Talmex said, smiling a slimy smile.
“That is unexceptable,” Kathryn seethed.
“It’s our planet. Our rules. Either that, or when you try to leave this planet, we destroy your ship or damage it so heavily you have no choice but to stay here.”
“I don’t like threats.” Kathryn said, her tone dead serious.
“Then don’t force us to enforce the threats. I expect you to either send the perpetrators back down to the surface within the next seven hours, or suitable replacements. Once we have suitable members to send to trial, your ship will be allowed to leave with all remaining crew members.”
Kathryn sucked in her lower lip and squinted her right eye. “Fine. Expect myself and my first officer down there shortly. Janeway out.”
Chakotay had followed her silently to the transporter room. They had thought to take nothing with them, since Kathryn was confident that they would be back to Voyager. As soon as they had beamed down, they were taken into custody. Their comm badges had been taken and the ordeal with the hosing had begun.
In a week, they had been put into separate cells and expected to live like this. By the time they were brought to trial, Voyager had already been told that they had been tried, convicted and executed. That by now, Voyager had been one week closer to home. . .
**
Chakotay looked up as the transport slowed down. The place they were being taken to, didn’t look half bad to Chakotay’s eyes. Far cry from what he thought he would be arriving at. A tall, gangly alien got on the transport and directed the newest group off and outside, where they were instructed to line up. Chakotay found himself on the end of the line.
An older man came out of the dwelling. Chakotay took it to be some sort of office. He looked like he had been subjected to the elements. Weathered, brown skin. White hair. But there was nothing old in his walk nor his voice. He stepped up to the group of men.
“My name is Shalmon. I run this camp,” he said, walking up and down the line. “If this is your first time here, then you’ll find this different then your preconceived notions. If this is the second, third…let’s just say, I’m giving you a fresh start.”
Shalmon walked up the line, back down, stopping occasionally in front of someone. “I do have guards, but only as precaution. Most of you, I know, have been convicted unfairly of some crime. I do not believe in the system of justice on this planet. But be warned,” he said, stopping in front of Chakotay. “You do make trouble, and I can make your life very difficult.”
Shalmon reached up and clapped Chakotay’s shoulder. “Break off into groups of four. That’s how many I keep to my houses. Report to the dining hall for dinner as soon as you’re settled and cleaned up.” He smiled at the men and indicated to the guards to show each group to a cabin.
Chakotay had been surprised by this man. He followed three others and a guard toward one of the small houses. As he walked, he looked up to the sky, wondering about those who were moving on. He wondered about Kathryn.
He hoped her conditions were similar to his.