Distant Shores - Marco Palmieri [16]
“We are crossing this section of space, heading for home. We do not wish a fight. Is there some accommodation that can be made?”
“Voyager, we know you not. Your home may lie this way or it is a falsehood. You may be an advance scout and we must protect our borders. You cannot be allowed to leave and we outgun you. I suspect we can outrun you. Surrender is your only option.”
“I disagree. We could be allowed to go back the way we came, we could be allowed over your space, or you could escort us to the far edge of your border. As you say, you outnumber us so we hardly pose a threat.”
Tuvok nodded to himself, pleased with the restraint Chakotay was showing. Janeway herself would no doubt approve. He also noted that the universal translator was quickly picking up the Dresh language.
“Voyager, we have no grounds with which to trust you. You’re an unknown and I don’t like unknowns. I especially don’t like starships just showing up out of nowhere. You’re a potential hostile and I don’t think letting you deeper into our space is wise. Do you? Surrender or be destroyed.”
“I would prefer neither option. Maybe we can find something you need, barter for our safe passage?”
“Voyager, we don’t know you. We don’t trust you and certainly are not going to allow you greater access to our people. What could you possibly have that we want or need?”
Chakotay shrugged and turned towards Neelix, looking for an answer. Neelix seemed deep in thought and finally looked back and slowly shook his head. Clearly, nothing occurred to him, since he didn’t know what the ship could spare. When they first met the Talaxian, water had been the source of barter, but now even that was a precious commodity, especially with the replicators down. Tuvok, like Chakotay, could not imagine what to offer the people.
A telltale on Tuvok’s console shifted from red to green. “Port shields have been restored,” he told Chakotay.
“So far, your combined efforts haven’t left much of a mark,” Chakotay said to the Dresh, his voice shifting tone. “For all you know, we’re not even using our harshest weapons. We’re only defending ourselves. Trust me, we will not allow the attack to continue. Don’t be foolish and don’t let yourselves be needlessly destroyed. Think about that.” With a gesture he had Kim cut the signal. He looked about the bridge, seemingly seeking input from the crew. Tuvok met his gaze and spoke first.
“Sir, is antagonizing them a wise course of action?”
“Right now, Tuvok, I’m matching them. I won’t blink and I won’t concede. I want this to end as peacefully as possible. It could be that, like the Klingons, they respect force.”
“Or not,” Tuvok replied. “Mr. Neelix, your opinion?”
“Well, Mr. Vulcan, I have always been told to steer clear of Dresh ships. They don’t deal in good faith and I really haven’t spoken to that many of them. Too intense for me.”
Chakotay said, “I need to go with my gut on this, Tuvok. I’m thinking matching their belligerence may be our best bet for avoiding a fight we can’t possibly win.”
“They’re signaling,” Kim said, interrupting the exchange.
“Go ahead.”
“Voyager, you clearly won’t leave so you must want a fight. One you can’t possibly win. I don’t know your people and can’t tell if you’re stupid or insane. Which is it?”
“Neither,” Chakotay responded. “We don’t go looking for fights, but we don’t run from them either. If you really think your five ships can handle mine, then fine. All we want is to head home. If you stand in our way, well, we’ve tried to be reasonable.”
“Voyager, you’ve tried to talk your way out of a fight, a fight you can’t possibly win.”
“Are you so sure?”
“Voyager, we took one of your shields down once. We can knock the rest down just as easily. We have time and numbers on our side. This is your final chance to surrender. After this, the fight is on your head.”
Chakotay motioned for the signal to end and then stood, moving toward Paris. “Plot us the least predictable course, prepare for a five-second warp burst. I want distance.”