Ghost of a Chance - Mark Garland [63]
"We'll have to take control ahead of schedule!'" Jonal shouted.
Chakotay watched as Mila forced Paris to one side, then used her free hand to tap rapidly at the helm panel. The ship lurched once, hard to port, then again, to starboard, shuddering as the force rippled through the hull and deck plates. Then Voyager came to a full stop. Jonal held Rollins aside and worked the tactical controls. In a moment he looked up at the other Drosary. "We are secure at the moment."
Chakotay tried to struggle, but that effort quickly proved pointless.
The two security guards stationed on the bridge were of little use at the moment as well. Even as Jonal, Mila, and Tassay performed their tasks, they held their captives so as to shield themselves against the guards' drawn phasers.
Chakotay was amazed at the strength the Drosary possessed; it was even more remarkable than their well-defined physiques would suggest. He was helpless against her hold, as were the others.
"What do you want?" he managed, though his words came out garbled under the pressure of Tassay's hand.
"We want all of you to remain perfectly still, or we will snap the necks of these officers one by one," Jonal replied. He turned to Chakotay. "Tell your officers to do as I say."
Chakotay said nothing at all. He couldn't give these people that kind of freedom; he wouldn't.
Jonal asked again, but the commander kept still. "Very well, then, they will do what you say," Jonal said angrily after only a slight hesitation. "Have your guards put down their weapons.
Then I want the bridge sealed off."
The difference was subtle. Simon says, more or less. But Chakotay thought this was something he could try to work with.
"Seal the doors," he told Stephens, who quickly complied. He told the guards to comply as well.
"A good start," Jonal said. "Seal the conduits, too. I want the computer to begin continuous scans of all areas surrounding the bridge.
We don't want anyone breaking in through a wall somewhere. Tell the computer to do that, or Tassay will kill you. Once that happens, you will be replaced by another bridge officer, who will die in turn, until I get what I want."
"Very well," Chakotay said, giving the commands. There wasn't anything else he could do just yet.
"Doors and conduits are sealed, scans are in place," Stephens reported after a moment.
"Now change the bridge computer control authorization code so that no one can surprise us," Jonal ordered, grinning slightly.
"Change it to accept my voice, my name."
"I can't do that," Chakotay muttered.
"Then I will kill you, and that one," Tassay said, nodding toward Stephens. Her voice sounded different, cold.
Chakotay grudgingly nodded, and once again the ensign complied.
"Computer, transfer all controls, authorization code alpha-fine, abacrom-dexter, six, four, zero, nine, one. Copy voice authorization."
Chakotay looked to Jonal, who nodded and spoke his name. The computer confirmed the transfer.
Jonal seemed to worry over the tactical console for a moment after that, tapping at it sporadically. Then he straightened, his expression one of mild satisfaction.
Chakotay made an effort to straighten as well, but Tassay seemed disinclined to allow it. She had her other hand around his throat now, but she wasn't squeezing very hard.
"I'll bet you don't even think I'm cute," he said to her. When she made no reply, he added, "I thought we were just starting to get somewhere. I had a little country house with a white picket fence all picked out."
Tassay adjusted her grip. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know you don't," Chakotay said.
"Open a channel to Gantel," Mila told Jonal, apparently anxious.
Jonal nodded silently, then worked at the console. "Done!" he shouted the moment contact was established, obviously pleased with himself.
Suddenly the screen was no longer filled with the planet's smallest