Marooned - Christie Golden [83]
"Here's the situation." Janeway sat cross-legged in front of them. She turned her wristlight on herself, so that they could see her face, throwing her features into grotesque angles and shadows. "It's bad, but not hopeless. Aren Yashar knows where we are. He probably thinks we're dead-I would, if I were him. We're trapped beneath tons of rock, with every entrance sealed. Lieutenant Paris is either captured or dead. Everyone else but myself and Hffrl is too injured to continue. Here's what I propose.
"You three remain here with the food supplies. I'll take one canteen of water, but everything else I'll leave with you. We can punch a hole through to the surface, which should provide enough air for you to breathe for several hours. I'll leave a phaser with you, just in case you need to widen the hole or to defend yourselves.
"I'll take a tricorder and two phasers. I should be able to find my way in to the complex. Hrrrl will come with me in case we run into any trouble. Any questions?"
The only reply was a lulating croon, presumably from the kakkik. "Captain," and Neelix's voice was ragged with pain, "What about Furball?"
Janeway glanced at the little creature. "He's helped us an awful lot already. I hate to ask him to do more, but... Neelix, do you think he can ease your pain, heal your injuries?"
Neelix stroked the small animal, his face going slack for a moment, then smiled. "Furball wants to do anything he can to help."
She rose and went to kneel beside the Talaxian. Furball stared up at her with his beautiful eyes, blinking solemnly. Janeway stroked him between the ears. "Thank you, Wind-Over-Water. I think your greatest opportunity to help will come shortly, if all goes well." With a last pat, she rose, slung the tricorder over her arm and checked her phaser. "Neelix, Torres-you've got to keep Tuvok conscious. Maybe the kakkik can help with that, too. He can't be allowed to fall asleep, not with that concussion."
"Captain, I do not think that will be a problem. My mental disciplines-"
-might not be enough," Janeway interrupted, and don't tell me about shutting down to heal yourself. That might have worked with the arm, but not with damage to the brain." She turned to Hrrri. "Let's go," she said. "Captain?" said Torres. Janeway turned around. "What is it, B'Elanna?"
"Good luck."
Janeway smiled. "I normally don't believe in luck," she replied, "but at this point, I'll take whatever help I can get. Take care of yourselves. I hope to have us all out of here within a few hours."
With that, she and Hrrrl were gone, disappearing down the twining labyrinth of tunnels.
"Well," said Neelix with forced cheerfulness. "How about a game or song to keep us all alert? Let me think ..."
It was going to be a long wait.
First Officer's log, stardate 51975.3. The teams aboard the sentinel ships are having no luck whatsoeyer in their attempts to deactivate the vessels. Ensign Kim and his teams have performed admirably, but we have been forced to beam them back once already after they ran out of supplies, with some not inconsiderable damage to the ship as a result. We're going to try it again.
Wherever she is, I hope Captain Janeway is more successful at whatever she's attempting than we are.
"I'm seriously beginning to hate this place," said Kim.
Lyssa Campbell nodded without comment. She looked better now that she'd had a chance to sleep in a bed for a few hours and eat some real food, but she still looked haggard. Gone was the chirpy, mischievous friend who'd kept monotony at bay for several days. Circles darkened her eyes and her lips were set in a grim line. Kim imagined he didn't look much better.
They were on the bridge of the alien vessel, and Kim's eyes roved over the scene with something approaching active hatred.
"Where should we start?" The unspoken word again lingered in the air.
Kim took a deep breath. "Where we started last time, I guess. You take that station, I'll take this one. Start recording."
There came a