Dark Matters_ Cloak and Dagger (Book 1) - Christie Golden [70]
"But this planet, Khala-what the hell is going on? Where are my crewmen?"
Her combadge chirped. "Kim to Janeway."
Startled, Janeway replied, "Janeway here. Go ahead, Ensign. I want to hear some good news."
"Well," and Kirn's voice was higher than usual, "I've got bad news first. It's the Romulans. They've found us."
"STATUS REPORT," SNAPPED JANEWAY.
"There are thirteen warbirds, all cloaked," said Kim. "They're still on long-distance scanners but they're closing in fast. We're able to detect them only because Telek has informed us how to locate the dark-matter cloaking. Shields are up, and we've gone to Red Alert."
"How's Voyager?" the captain asked.
"I'm guessing you found the Shepherds," said Kim, "because everything on the ship has been fixed. It's in perfect operating order. Not a trace of dark matter on board, and everyone who's been affected by it is back to normal."
"Even Neelix?"
"Even Neelix." Harry's voice was warm, even in this moment of crisis. "He wanted me to tell Telek
R'Mor he planned to cook him a banquet by way of apology."
Janeway looked at Tialin, who put a hand to her heart and bowed in acknowledgment
"You're right. We found the Shepherds, Harry. And it sounds like it wasn't a minute too soon, either. Keep those shields up. We can't take the risk of lowering them for you to beam us up. Besides, we're trapped deep inside a mountain, and I doubt the transporter could even lock on to us here."
She was angry, frustrated, and heartsick. Chakotay and Tom had vanished to who knew where. She wondered if they were even still alive. Their ship was now clean of the mutated dark matter, but thirteen-thirteen!-Romulan warbirds were descending on them even as she spoke with Harry. Those weren't odds she liked. And here she was, stuck inside this mountain while Voyager was about to plunge into a dreadful battle with young Harry Kim in the captain's chair.
Do not fear, child.
The voice was inside Janeway's head, and calm spread over her like a blanket at the words. It was Tialin, of course. But Janeway felt comforted by the telepathic contact in a way that her verbal exchange with Tialin had not permitted. It was a maternal embrace 'of the mind and spirit, and Janeway knew all at once that yes, despite her mysteries and playful superiority, Tialin could be trusted.
Your friends are safe and where they need to be. And I would not think of depriving you of the excitement of such a battle.
All at once, Janeway found herself on the bridge. Telek R'Mor, startled, stood at her right side and looked about. The Doctor and Khala were not present; Janeway imagined they were in sickbay.
'Torres to bridge. What the hell is this floating ball that just materialized in engineering?"
"Janeway here," the captain replied. "I'll explain it all once we're out of danger, Lieutenant In the meantime, just keep an eye on it."
"It is good to see you, Captain," came Tuvok's smooth, ice-cream-cool voice. Janeway glanced over her shoulder, and pleasure filled her as she saw her old friend standing erect at his post. It was wonderful to see him well again.
"And you, Tuvok."
"Commander Chakotay and Ensign Paris?"
"Later. I think they're all right, though."
"Captain." Kim's voice was taut. "They're within viewing range."
"Flee them, Captain," said Telek. "Your ship has the superior speed."
Janeway considered the option, then shook her head. "No. I owe it to them to at least try to reason with them, warn them about what's going on."
"They will not listen!" Telek cried. "Do you not think that if I believed for a moment they would, I would suggest flight? These centurions are under the direct command of the Tal Shiar, Captain. They have not come to talk, they have come to conquer, and if they cannot conquer, then they will die. That is and