String Theory_ Fusion (Book 2) - Kirsten Beyer [132]
Or these are the ones who gave up the struggle, she realized.
Neither thought was particularly comforting.
But even as she realized this, she saw at the same time that, like the Monorhans, they had ceased to engage with one another and were turning their attention to her instead.
From the far end of the chamber a familiar voice called, “Captain!”
“Chakotay,” she replied, searching the scene for him and smiling with relief when she saw him pull himself free from the clutches of what looked like a large green spider. When the alien’s eye stalks were directed toward her, it seemed to lose all will to engage Chakotay and stood quite still as her first officer hurried across the room toward her.
From the opposite flank, Seven and Neelix came into view and likewise began to run in her direction.
No one, neither the Nacene nor the Monorhans, seemed inclined to stop them. The all stood still, many openmouthed, staring at Janeway.
At first this was difficult to understand. Then the intensifying heat of the Key clutched firmly in her hands reminded her that, at least for the moment, she was holding the only ace in the room and nothing seemed as important to either side in this conflict as how she was going to play it.
“You’re all right,” Chakotay said on ragged shallow breaths as he reached her.
Janeway nodded, managing a weak smile.
There was still one all important factor in the equation that was missing, and Janeway was impatient for her to show herself.
A large wriggling pile pulled her attention to her left. The spores, she knew in an instant. Lifting her eyes above the wormlike organisms, she saw Phoebe, a mass of writhing black tentacles floating above the spores. Her first reaction to Janeway’s presence was to release several Monorhans who were held in her grasp. Once they were free she gently glided to the floor and slowly lurched toward Janeway and her officers.
“Kathryn,” her voice boomed, echoing throughout the chamber.
At least Phoebe no longer looked or sounded like her sister. In some ways this made what must come next much easier for Janeway.
“You didn’t return to Voyager,” Janeway began, then quipped, “I was starting to worry.”
“Captain, the life-forms we detected…” Chakotay began.
“Don’t worry, Commander,” Janeway halted him. “I think I know everything about this situation I need to for the time being.”
“You will return the Key to its box, Kathryn,” Phoebe said in a tone more commanding than supplicating. “We will not allow it to be used until the rest of the exiles have returned.”
“That was our understanding,” Janeway replied, nodding slightly, but making no move to release the Key, still clutched to her stomach.
“Then why do you hesitate now?” Phoebe demanded.
“It appears this situation is a little more complicated than you described to me,” Janeway replied.
“You refer to the abominations,” Phoebe said.
“And the fact that this array is about to be destroyed,” Janeway added.
The filaments of red light that had been coursing through Phoebe’s undulating form were transmuted to a vivid shade of violet. Something in this change gave Janeway the distinct sensation that Phoebe was attempting to verify what Janeway had said.
A moment later, her suspicion was confirmed. “It cannot be stopped,” Phoebe said with resignation.
“I didn’t think it could,” Janeway replied. “You will allow Commander Chakotay and his team to return unharmed to Voyager,” she said in a tone which clearly indicated that this was a demand, not a request.
There was a pregnant pause as Phoebe appeared to consider her options.
“Of course,” Phoebe finally replied.
Chakotay opened his mouth to protest but didn’t have a chance before Janeway said, “Thank you,” adding, “Commander, if I’m not back on board in five minutes, I’m not coming back. Your orders are to get the ship as far away from the array as possible and resume a course for the Alpha Quadrant.”
Chakotay