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By Root 647 0

Yashar's ship broke free of formation and dove toward Voyager in a run both rash and daring. It was small and quick enough that Chell couldn't respond in time and Voyager almost did a complete rollover as it fired back. Chakotay nearly took a tumble out of his seat, and many of the bridge crew didn't manage to stay at their posts. It was for naught; the phasers missed Yashar's ship completely.

Voyager righted itself as red pulsed through the bridge. Smoke billowed and there was the sound of crackling and burning. Henley dove for the extin guisher and tried to tame the flames that roared along the console.

"Chell," cried Chakotay, "you remember what we did that first time we attacked the Cardassian convoy?"

"Aye, Commander!" Chell yelled back.

"Execute on my command!"

:"Aye sir!"

"Bridge, brace yourselves. It's going to be a bumpy ride!"

The ships now converged, and began another run.

Voyager bore hard to port, firing as it turned. The phasers went wide of their marks, striking a single, glancing blow to only one vessel. The ships, like wolves attacking their prey, veered to the other side and fired simultaneously.

Voyager took the attack full on, spinning almost completely around with the force of the shots and finally coming to rest in a dangling, awkward posi tion.

mouth was agony. He spat a tooth into his palm. "Henley, hail Yashar's ship."

He sat down in the command chair and held his left arm tightly, awkwardly, with his right. Aren Yashar's triumphant visage filled the screen.

"Changed our minds, have we?" gloated the pirate.

Exaggeratedly, Chakotay licked his bloody lip, tasting hot, coppery blood.

"What are your terms for surrender?"

Yashar's smile grew. "I am pleased and disappointed at the same time., Commander. Somehow, I thought you'd put up a better fight than that."

Chakotay went cold inside. Was it possible Aren suspected a ruse? Chakotay narrowed his eyes and called Aren a vile name, while at the same time touching his bloodied mouth, sending exactly the wordless message he wanted to send: I don't want to do this, but we're.too badly hurt not to.

Aren threw back his dark head and laughed heartily. "You do have spirit, don't you," he said in a tone that was almost admiring. "I respect that in an adversary. There are many planets within the Ja'in sphere of influence; perhaps, if it pleases me, I will set your crew someplace that is not too hostile."

"Your graciousness is overwhelming," sneered Chakotay.

"Disabled as you are, I could blow you to bits," Aren reminded him.

"You want our ship. You wouldn't do that."

"Perhaps not. But only my good mood is preventing me from killing all of you the moment I set foot on the vessel."

"Do I have your word?" Chakotay sat upright, feigned anxiousness. "You do. I shall not harm you or your crew."

"And what of your prisoners? Show me Paris!"

"You have but to ask." Aren gestured, and again Tom Paris was brought to stand, swaying and sick, before the screen. "It is a good thing this battle was so one sided, Commander Chakotay. I just didn't have time to execute them." Aren's smile widened, and he lifted his arms in an expansive gesture. "Have no fear. Those who cooperate find I am a generous master. Prepare your vessel for boarding." He moved a hand, and the screen went dark.

Almost at once, smaller ships launched themselves from the larger Ja'in vessels. Each larger vessel, it seemed, had at least four or five of the smaller ships. The screen was fliled with the small ships, bearing down on Voyager.

Chakotay smiled through the pain. He didn't miss the anxious look Chell cast, covertly, over his shoulder, nor the tense silence on the bridge. "Bridge to Kim."

"Kim here."

"You played dead very well." Chakotay kept his eyes on the screen. Closer they came... closer ... "Commander, the boarding vessels are now within forty kilometers and closing," said Henley.

"Mr. Kim." Chakotay leaned forward. "Jump!"

Suddenly, like great beasts