Marooned - Christie Golden [77]
Tom Paris was heavier than B'Elanna had expected him to be. But she didn't say a word, instead ordered her tiring muscles to support the burden despite their objections.
He stayed unconscious for the next few hours. As the light increased, marking what passed for dawn on this planet, Hrffl called a halt near a natural rock formation.
"This will do," he said. "Before dawn tomorrow, we win reach New Harm."
"Excellent," said Janeway. "This has all been too much like a flashback to Starfleet physical training for my liking."
Tomes glanced about, trying to find the least uncomfortable spot available for Paris. He stirred in her arms, and when she glanced down at him, his eyes were open and focused.
"You know," he drawled, his voice a thin echo of his normal robust, teasing tones, "every time I thought about this scene before, I was the one carryi YOU.
"Shut up, Tom," she said, ever so softly.
"Shutting up, ma'am," he replied. His head lolled back over her arm; clearly, the little joke had been enough to exhaust him.
Fear shivered through Torres, but she ignored it. He'd be fine.
He had to be.
She placed him down where the soil seemed sandiest, and drew the Sshoush-shin cloak over him even though he was still running a very high fever. It was broad daylight now-well, at least as broad as daylight got on Mishkara-and they couldn't risk being spotted by a scout ship.
"How is he?" Janeway asked as Torres walked up.
Torres shook her head. "Not good. We've got to get him to the doctor soon, or..." She didn't complete the sentence.
Janeway nodded, but said nothing. With a sigh, she shrugged off her heavy cloak in order to rid herself of the pack. Tuvok, as he had done every time they halted, was busily running a tricorder scan of the area. He raised an eyebrow. "Captain-"
But Janeway had beaten him to it. "My God," she breathed, a slow grin spreading across her face, "It's Neelix!"
Torres straightened and gazed where Janeway had indicated. Sure enough, a tiny humanoid blip on the horizon was charging into view. Torres found she was smiling. She hadn't realized how worried she had been about the little Talaxian until now, when he turned up, somehow, apparently safe and sound.
Neelix came puffing up happily, and in his enthusiasm flung his stubby arms about everyone. "Oh, goodness, am I happy to see you!" Before she could protest, Torres was enfolded, squeezed, and released.
"Neelix," began the captain. "We're glad you're safe, of course, but-"
"A!" Hrrrl's wordless cry caused them all to whip around, taut, ready to fight or flee. The huge Sshoushshin was pointing in horror at an airborne animal about the size of a small housecat. The thing dipped and dove like a hummingbird, chirping and squeaking all the while. Its huge eyes, the color of the sky back on Earth, blinked rapidly. It appeared to be as afraid of Hrffl as the big Sshoush-shin was of it. Yet it didn't flee.
Not more than a few days ago, Torres herself had held a small carved figurine that might have been modeled after this specific creature. What was it? She searched for the name. Pick-pick... kiki ... "Kakkik!" cried Hrrri. "Quick! Your phasers! Blast it, blast it!"
"Don't you dare hurt him!" came Neelix's indignant yelp. "Furball, come here!" And to Torres's shock, the creature immediately folded its wings and dove for the safety of Neelix's arms. "There, there," the Talaxian soothed.
"Neelix," and Janeway's voice held that icy calm that immediately riveted her crew. "The creature is dangerous. It's a psychic predator."
"Pish-posh," scoffed Neelix. He rummaged about his person with one hand while the other still cradled the kakkik. "He's a pet, Captain, and a sweet one. He helped me find-ah, here they are. Look at these berries-don't they look delicious?"
Torres stared, as did the others, at the handful of dead beetles Neelix proffered.
"I think," came Tuvok's calm voice, "that