Quantum Causality:Keywrds:Time paradoxes/action,Borg,Janeway

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

None from Author: Hello all, this is my first Voyager fic, however I have written X-files stories as I was a bix Phile for many years. I think this is my best attempt yet, and it has taken a lot of research into Starfleet protocals and ship structure..etc, anyway, you get the idea. I haven't finished writing it yet, though I know where its headed. Hope you enjoy Quantum Causality (you can guess a bit of what its about from the heading!

Short synopsis so far: A normal day aboard Voyager turns into a puzzling series of events as the ship encounters a quantum fissure in space. Soon, Janeway is facing a perplexing time phenomenon, whilst attempting to keep the ship and everyone aboard alive, and out of reach of the Borg who may also have discovered the quantum fissure and all of the possibilities it holds for assimilating the past...present...and future......

Disclaimer: Please don't sue me, I love Star Trek, and all the characters are certainly not mine, though I wouldn't mind knowing them *bows to Paramount*

And now...on with the story....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Captain Kathryn Janeway stepped into the turbo-lift and turned swiftly as the doors hissed closed behind her,

�Deck Two�.
The lift was quick to respond. She watched as the lighting from the interior of the turbo lift shaft changed and began to flash upwards as the lift itself shot down a deck. The doors opened, and she walked swiftly into the corridor, passing crew about their daily business,
�Captain.�
�Ensign.�
Left into the mess hall.
Around her, crew sat eating strange concoctions, laughing, chatting, and occasionally prodding the food inquisitively with their utensils.
She noted the relaxed feel of the room, and the sated looks of peoples� faces.
Outside the large viewing windows, streaks of white worlds splashed across the black canvas of space�
�Ahhh! Captain, feeling a bit peckish are you? I have just the thing!�
Janeways�s attention snapped from the viewing windows to Mr. Neelix, her cook/morale officer/ sometimes ambassador, and to a bowl of some steaming soup he held out toward her.
Janeway smiled �Thankyou Mr. Neelix,� She raised a questioning eyebrow at the soup, and as if in response it bubbled under her gaze �that looks�positively delicious� She said after a slight pause.
The Talaxian smiled wide, showing his straight teeth.
�You just come right here Captain, and take a seat!� He pulled out a chair for her and placed the bowl on the table. �I replicated some Leola root,� he whispered conspiratorially, pushing his chiefs hat back on straight absentmindedly as he spoke �and after I stewed it for a few hours and added some Talaxian spices, you wouldn�t even know that it isn�t the real thing!�
She sat at the table and looked at the burbling soup which bubbled despite the fact that it wasn�t even boiling. But it smelled alright, and she was hungry. Neelix stood with his hands clasped eagerly, awaiting her approval.
�Here goes.� She said and raised the spoon to her mouth.
Just as she was about to touch the spoon to her lips, the comm sounded �Captain to the bridge�.
Janeway stood, putting the spoon back in the soup and felt a definite pull as the thick substance sucked it in,
�I�m sorry Neelix� she said, and handed him the bowl.
An audible breath of air escaped him �Ohhh, Captain, what bad timing!� His body slumped.
Janeway nodded once and patted his shoulder gently then turned and left the Mess.
�Timing indeed� she said quietly and smiled.

Janeway stepped onto the bridge, �Report.�
�Sensors have detected what would seem to be a quantum fissure Captain� Commander Tuvok stated simply.
Janeway smoothed back and errant strand of her hair with a hand and sat down into her command chair beside Chakotay.
�It �seems� to be a quantum fissure?� Janeway asked, surprised by Tuvoks� uncharacteristic vagueness.
�Yes Captain� Ensign Harry Kim shot in, �while it seems to have all the characteristics of what we know about quantum fissures, there is a difference. This fissure is located in the northern hemisphere of an M-Class planet. Its presence on, or should I say� in the planet is causing substantial seismic instability�
Janeway paused a moment, studying the readings on her own console beside her chair. The scientist in her was intrigued. She shared an adventurous look with Chakotay who smiled back knowingly.
�Reality down there is actually shaking its way into an altered state� Janeway said, quietly as if to herself.
�In essence, that is correct� Tuvok acknowledged with a raised eyebrow.
She thought briefly that Vulcans certainly did have incredible hearing, then returned her thoughts to the current situation
�Put it on screen Mr. Kim� She said.
Instantly on the view screen was what appeared to be an almost replica of Earth. Blue and green, the only difference being a substantial amount of swirling grey-white atmospheric gasses and the addition of an extra orbital moon, its twin beside it.
Tom Paris spoke up from the conn �Talk about altering your reality, that looks just like Home!�
�Sorry, not today� Janeway smiled, she knew they all felt homesick. � Harry, is there any sign of life down there?�
Harry worked at his console for a short minute before responding �Sensors are receiving quite a lot of interference from the fissure Captain, I can�t get clear readings�.
�Move us in closer Tom� Janeway asked.
Tuvok spoke up �Captain, might I suggest that we go no closer. It is well established that warp-fields are notorious for causing a rupture in the natural subspace barrier between quantum realities, the result of such a rupture would be to force the ship and its crew into a myriad of unpredictable shifts between realities, which could lead to a disruption in the universal energy constant, destroying innumerable realities permanently.�
�Woah, when you put it like that!� Tom said, taking a deep breath at the magnitude.
�Thank you Tuvok, noted.� Janeway said �Unfortunately, we are all closely familiar with parallel realties in one way or another. However, we need to establish if the presence of this fissure could be dangerous, to us certainly, but also, perhaps to the rest of the quadrant. Tom, take us in, one-quarter impulse.�
�Aye mam�. Tom replied, and began playing his console like a concert pianist.
Janeway stood, a hand on her hip, as the planet gradually increased in size on the viewer.
After a minute of silence, Harry spoke up �I�m getting something here�but its strange,�
Janeway walked to his station and looked at the readings also �That is strange�� she said.
Chakotay laughed �What is it?�
Harry answered �It appears that there are life signs on the planet, but they are limited to the area directly inside the quantum field that the fissure in generating. An area of approximately 150 square kilometres. The readings are all over the place, one minute they�re there, the next, gone! But as far as I can tell, there are sentient beings on that planet.�
�Full stop Tom� Janeway ordered. The image taking up the view screen stopped moving.
�It gets worse Captain� Harry added. �It looks like the fissure is becoming unstable on its own�if that thing were to collapse��
Tuvok interrupted �..You are correct Ensign, I have confirmed that the fissure is becoming unstable. I was able to compensate for some of the interference, and sensors now show considerable quantities of chroniton particles amassing in the vicinity of the fissure, which are aggravating the barrier between the realities and increasing the size and severity of the fissure. I estimate that there will be a rupture in the subspace barrier between realities in approximately 6 hours, resulting in a state of quantum flux, and the destruction of that planet.�
Captain Janeway took it all in, she walked a little in front of her command chair, and finally stood with a hand to her chin, looking at the already doomed planet on the view screen, and imagining all the lives that would be lost, knowing that such a disaster could put the entire universe at risk by disrupting the universal energy constant that was essential for survival, in this reality and in innumerable others. It was much worse that she had hoped.
�We�re going to have to seal that fissure people,� she stated, and immediately began giving orders �its not going to be easy, but it has to be done.�
�Captain, what about the people on the planet?� Harry asked. She looked at him with understanding. Harry was not the same innocent young man who had began this voyage with the rest of them, but he was an innocent and caring man nonetheless.
�We�ll do everything we can Harry.� She stated plainly.
Janeway tapped her combadge �All senior officers to the briefing room�
Almost immediately, there was a reply �Seven of Nine to the Captain�.
�Go ahead Seven.�
�I am picking up a signal coming from the planet�.
Janeway glanced at Harry, who shook his head in confusion.
�We�re not reading anything here Seven, check your�� Harry started but Seven cut in,
�It is being transmitted on a minor- range subspace band. It is Borg.�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, any replies??? Anyone like? Hope I get some readers! heheheheh mwuhhahahahahah! Captain Katie O'Claire signing out...bye bye.
until next time....

[Voy_Girl]

It's a really good start! The craracters are very... in character.

[Sarah Connor]

I agree everyone's in character. Yah know what I just thought. It would be funny if Tuvok had his pants pulled down!LoL!!

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

YEAHHHH!!! Cool, you read it! Ok, and that is bizzare, because I'm reading a story of both of yours two, I'm reading The Renegade of starfleet ( i think i got the name right, the renegade bit anyway), and thundery Rain also. I like them V much. And reading A failed time with a new love. that is also V good.
Hope you'll keep reading mine, and give me feedback. I was just explaining to my sister that I loved the feedback, it kinda keeps you inspired to write the story don't you think?

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

LAST TIME, ON STAR TREK VOYAGER....

Janeway tapped her combadge �All senior officers to the briefing room�
Almost immediately, there was a reply �Seven of Nine to the Captain�.
�Go ahead Seven.�
�I am picking up a signal coming from the planet�.
Janeway glanced at Harry, who shook his head in confusion.
�We�re not reading anything here Seven, check your�� Harry started but Seven cut in,
�It is being transmitted on a minor- range subspace band. It is Borg.�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS TIME....:
Four minutes later Janeway walked into the briefing room and sat at her usual place at the head of the table. Chakotay sat to her right, beside Seven, and to her left were B�Elanna Torres and Tom Paris. Tuvok, Harry, Neelix and the Doctor sat near the end of the table opposite the Captain. The hurried talking quieted as the Captain took her seat.
Janeway sat back and listened as Chakotay brought everyone up to date on what the bridge crew had discovered. He turned to Seven.
��It has a Borg signature you said?� Chakotay asked.
�That is correct Commander,� Seven replied, and stood and approached a display screen on the wall. Seven worked the console and brought up a picture �This wave formation represents normal subspace resonance formations, including any subspace communications, and ordinary space noise,� again she worked the console �this, however,� and she separated a small jagged line from the graphic display �is an encoded subspace message. It is in binary code, however I am certain that it is Borg.�
B�Elanna looked doubtful �why would the Borg be using binary code? Its not like they have any reason to disguise their transmissions like this? What makes you so certain Seven?�
All eyes were focussed on Seven, who tilted her head slightly and then spoke �I can only hypothesise that it was the most efficient form of communication. The Hive mind must not be capable of the communication they intend.�
Around the table faces were thoughtful.
Seven continued �I am certain that at least part of it is Borg, because whilst I was regenerating at 2100 this evening, the signal routed itself through the sensors on the bridge and came through my Alcove. Once there it entered my neural net and deactivated my regeneration cycle. That is when I called the Captain.�
�Have you been able to determine its purpose Seven?� Janeway asked. She knew Seven hadn�t had much time to work on it, but if anyone could solve a problem fast, it was Seven.
�I believe its purpose is twofold Captain,� she began, taking her seat and resting her cibernetically altered hand calmly upon the other on the tabletop. �The encrypted code was designed to terminate my regeneration cycle, or should I say, any Borg regeneration cycle. It was a priority communication, and therefore was designed to be heard by the collective efficiently. Secondly, I believe it was a beacon.� Seven stated this fact easily, but faces around the table were suddenly far from showing ease.
�The Collective will be coming to the planet then?� Harrry asked, in a tone that expressed the apprehension they were all feeling.
�It would seem so� Seven replied.
�What would the Borg want with a quantum fissure?� Neelix asked.
�What wouldn�t the Borg want with the fissure is more like the question,� B�Elanna replied, she pointed a finger on the briefing desk as she spoke, expressing a little of her half Klingon heritage in her exuberance �In theory, it is possible that by taking advantage of the fissure, the Borg may be able to travel to infinite parallel realities, assimilating countless worlds and cultures, spreading throughout the universe with ease!� Just the thought made everyone look grim, Neelix rubbed a hand on his throat in an attempt to ease his suddenly constricted breathing.
The only person around the table who didn�t show any sign of worry was Tuvok the Captain thought, but then being Vulcan he never did show his feelings. He did have his fingers steepled thought which she knew, after many years knowing him, was a sign he was considering something deeply. Gradually, they all turned to look at the Captain. She had concerns of her own,
�Seven, you said that at least part of the transmission was Borg, what did you mean by that?� Janeway asked.
�Exactly that Captain. Some of the transmission did not appear as if it were designed by the Borg, it may have been a distress signal sent by another species. Unfortunately, I cannot be certain.�
Janeway pursed her lips in thought. Chakotay knew that look, he figured she was now going to say something that none of them had expected, at least with this knowledge of her, he was granted forewarning.
Finally she spoke �We have a quantum fissure about to rupture, a fissure that needs to be sealed, a Borg homing beacon, where there as yet don�t seem to be Borg on the planet it is originating from, and now there is a possibility that there are intelligent species down on that planet who may need our help.� She placed her palms flat on the table and stood up. She began to pace the room in thought. �There is also evidence of a temporal anomaly.�
�Captain?� Chakotay asked.
She turned to face him, her thoughts back in the room �The chroniton particles that are massing on the fissures� periphery. In my experience�� Chakotay opened his mouth to explore that further, but the Captain raised a hand and smiled ��don�t ask,�but chroniton particles mean time travel.� The senior staff exchanged looks, Janeway continued to walk casually around the table.
Neelix interrupted �The Borg! Time travel, rift things�and, well, The Borg!�my Captain, it�s a good thing we live aboard such a fine starship, I guess we�ll just be on our way, and��
Janeway placed a hand gently on his shoulder. �I�m sorry Neelix, but while there is the possibility that beings on the planet are asking for help, and the Borg may have a part in all of this, the risks of leaving or just sealing the rift are far too high.� Neelix slumped in his chair.
�The Captains logic is sound,� Tuvok added �the Borg cannot be allowed to inhabit countless other realities, the effects of such a shift in the universal energy constant would be devastating.�
�You sound awfully passionate Commander, I�m with you.� Tom jibed. Tuvok�s chin raised slightly in Tom�s direction,
�Vulcans, as I�m sure you�re aware Mr. Paris, do not experience passion.�
Neelix, fiddling with his long wiskers, interrupted before Tom could protest in response �Excuse me Mr. Vulcan, but the universal energy� what was it? I have never heard of that.� He raised his eyebrow, his mouth open slightly in question.
�It is a theory, that has not been tested to my knowledge. It proposes that each alternate reality has a weighted energy present within. Each reality weight makes up the universal energy constant. If the weight of one reality gets heavier, as might be the case if the Borg were to cross from this reality into another, and exceeds a certain threshold, then the universe will collapse in on itself, and no life would survive.�
�What is the threshold?� The Doctor asked, breaking his silent pondering for the first time during the meeting.
�That equation is undetermined.� Tuvok replied.
�So in other words, no one knows!� Tom interpreted.
�Precicely.� Stated Tuvok.
Janeway was standing at the head of the table now, deep in thought, one hand unconsciously roamed the straight smooth edges of her combadge.
For a minute there was silence until finally she turned �B�Elanna, Seven, you�re with me.�
�You�re going down to the planet?� Chakotay asked.
Janeway nodded in the affirmative.
�Its too dangerous Captain. I should go.�
Janeway reached across and touched his hand gently �Keep my seat warm for me. We�ll be careful.� Chakotay accepted it, but shook his head slightly, so that only the Captain noticed his disapproval. She had a habit of taking all the dangerous missions herself, because she thought she owed it to the crew for bringing them to the Delta- Quadrant in the first place. But she was the Captain, and she gave the orders, so he had to obey.
Tuvok spoke up �Captain, might I advise that I also join the away-team. You should have security assistance, and the three of you should not go alone, especially when there may be Borg nearby on the planet.�
�I�m sorry Tuvok, but the least amount of people exposed to the temporal distortions the better. B�Elanna and Seven have security experience�of a kind, the three of us will have to do. I need their experience down there, and Chakotay will want yours up here if we get any unwanted visitors.�
�I have to say that I do not believe this to be the safest course of action, but very well Captain. As long as there are three of you, your chances of success are improved.� Janeway nodded, glad that she had managed to persuade him.
�I also have a problem with this away mission Captain.� It was the Doctor, he held his hand up palm outwards as if he were a child back in school impatiently awaiting to be acknowledged.
�Go on Doctor.� Janeway said.
�You said there is a temporally disrupted environment down on the planet? Well, then you will need to wear some kind of temporal shielding, to reduce the risks of temporal narcosis. Although, even with shielding, temporal narcosis can still have a rapid onset, so you will all need to come by sickbay for inoculations which will provide some additional protection.�
�Very well Doctor, we�ll be there shortly.�
�Captain, temporal narcosis is very dangerous, it can cause dizziness, loss of balance and motor skills, impaired judgement, irrational behaviour and extreme panic� The Doctor added, quite distressed at the risk they were putting themselves in.
�All the more reason for the temporal shields, and I think I have just the thing Captain� B�Elanna added. �I�ve read about recalibrating transporter enhancer armbands as temporal shields. I think I can have it done in 20 minutes. The only problem is that communications will need to be channelled through the Emergency Transport Armband�s subspace signal relays that are used to verify transporter lock, because otherwise communications won�t be able to penetrate the force field, and they won�t be in our time.� Neelix was rubbing his face in slight confusion.
Seven added �The Borg have a similar technology, I will assist you.� B�Elanna nodded and forced a smile on her face. Seven and her just always seemed to be in conflict with each other Janeway thought, but at least they were trying to get along.
�Oh yes Captain, that reminds me,� the Doctor interjected �being in a pocket of artificial time, like that which B�Elanna is proposing, may also cause momentary sensory aphasia which might affect your balance.�
�Noted Doctor, thank you. Okay, if that�s all then, dismissed. B�Elanna, Seven, get right on those shields, we need to leave as soon as possible. Who knows when the Borg may show up.�

Fifteen minutes later, the Captain, Seven and B�Elanna and Chakotay were standing in the transporter room. Besides Chakotay, they each wore a type two phaser at the waste, and a modified transporter enhancer armband ready to be activated.
�The modified transporter enhancers should also help to locate our signals in the denser atmosphere of the planet, but at least its not so bad that we have to wear EV suits.� B�Elanna said.
�That�s good,� Chakotay said �since we�ll be wanting the three of you back in one solid piece.� He smiled.
�Don�t joke Commander� the Captain laughed �Thankfully I�ve never witnessed that kind of transporter malfunction, and I certainly don�t want to be the one having my molecules mixed with anyone elses!, no offense� she said to Seven and B�Elanna.
B�Elanna smiled, Seven said �None taken.�
Chakotay laughed.
�Seven and I were able to combine Borg and Starfleet know-how into a nifty little piece of technology, so these arm bands will create temporal shields around each of us, but they will only extend as far as we do, so that means, we can touch anything, pick anything up, and still be shielded.� B�Elanna smiled at her accomplishment, Seven continued to stand with her hands behind her back, after all, she was used to expecting perfection in everything she did, so she wasn�t especially proud.
�They are ready to be activated whenever you�re ready Captain, however, Lieutenant Torres failed to mention that any break in the integrity of our skin will cause the temporal shielding to become inactive .� Seven stated.
�So we�ll have to remember not to get hurt then.� Janeway said. �Well, there�s no time like the present.� she added enthusiasticaly, and each of the women played at the control pad strapped around the inner aspect of their forearms.
Almost instantly after pressing the activation key Janeway felt the world spin before her, actually saw it shift in front of her eyes as she momentarily lost some of her balance and reached out to Chakotay who grabbed at her arm to lend support. A second later B�Elanna and Seven activated their own shields, B�Elanna also felt the loss of equilibrium, and leant against the transporter console for support. Seven didn�t seem to be affected, and stood as solid as ever.
�Looks like the Doctor wasn�t joking when he said you might experience imbalance from those shields� Chakotay said, looking concerned.
�I�m fine now Commander,� Janeway said, and let go of his shoulder, he carefully released her arm. �It seems to have passed. Seven?�
�I have superior equilibrium to you. I was not affected.�
�Good,� Janeway said, and turned to B�Elanna.
�I think I�m okay Captain, just give me a second,� B�Elanna said, eyes closed, gripping the console with white knuckles.
Chakotay and Janeway approached her.
Carefully she stood straight and began to let go of the console, almost immediately she lost her balance and began to fall, but Chakotay and the Captain were quick to catch her.
Chakotay tapped his commbadge �Chakotay to the Doctor.�
The slightly tinny sound of the Doctor�s voice projected through the shipwide communications system replied �how can I help you Commander?�
�We�ve got a patient for you Doctor, B�Elanna isn�t regaining her balance wearing the temporal shielding� he said.
�Ah, I was afraid of that Commander, discontinue the device, and bring her on up.�
B�Elanna rolled her eyes �Just give me a minute longer Captain, I�m sure I�ll be��
�Doctors orders� The Captain said, then smiled �who am I to argue with those?�
The Doctor cleared his voice over the comm �At least this will give me a chance to finally do a long overdue monthly examination of Miss Torres, I�m afraid she�ll be in sickbay for some time.�
Funny, thought the Captain, he didn�t sound sorry.
Chakotay removed her armband and saw B�Elanna off with the help of a crewman who had been manning the transporter console.
�Well, now,� he said, fingering the armband �you�re going to need a replacement, and what do you know, I happen to be right here!�
�Better luck next time Commander� Janeway said �I need you here.�
Chakotay�s brow furrowed in disapproval.
�Besides, its better if only one of us is exposed to the temporally disrupted environment on the planet, that way only one of us is at risk of getting temporal narcosis like the doctor explained, and you can still command Voyager.�
Janeway stepped up onto the transporter platform, and Seven did the same.
�Very well.� Chakotay said, and moved to operate the transporter. �Tuvok�s not going to like this. Good luck, and be careful.� he said.
The Captain smiled and put a hand ready above her phaser, �Energize.� Before her eyes the transporter room and Chakotay shimmered in a bluish light, increasing exponentially until they vanished completely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you all liked that...do you think the posts are too long, I can post shorter bits, I just never know how much is too much...any suggestions??

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

hmmmnnn, on scrolling over that once i posted it, I do indeed think I posted too much. I'll cut it down next time...hehe

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

[Sarah Connor]

Its great! Keep em long!

No its my b/f's pic. Yah know Geordi LaForge?

[Voy_Girl]

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

Thanks, excellent. I do the same, I like to read long fics, they're more satisfying I think. Ok then, I'll keep posting it like this, at the breaks that were naturally in the story. I think I'll post later though, cause I might write some more today. bye all, Katie.

[Melodramatic]

I am loving it, and am totally addicted
Characters are ver well done. Its nice to see such along story

[1/1]

WOW thats brilliant. can't wait for the next part

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

Wow! excellent, two new readers. Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days, I've been busy, and I am so lame. I'll tell you why...I am sitting here, and I have a comm badge on, that I made myself...its really good *so modest*, and I just looked around me at the thing that has been capturing my attention...and had to laugh...I'm making a panel, you know, like on the bridge of Voyager? this one is a combination of the central console shared by Chakotay and Janeway, and also a little navigation and warp control on there too. I'm making it so it lights up from behind and all. If only I could get it to make noise when I press the buttons! hehe.

Ok, I guess I'd better post! I can't remember where we were, so I'll post in another frame and check...

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

LAST TIME:

Janeway stepped up onto the transporter platform, and Seven did the same.
�Very well.� Chakotay said, and moved to operate the transporter. �Tuvok�s not going to like this. Good luck, and be careful.� he said.
The Captain smiled and put a hand ready above her phaser, �Energize.� Before her eyes the transporter room and Chakotay shimmered in a bluish light, increasing exponentially until they vanished completely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS TIME:

Captain Janeway and Seven rematerialised, and for a short moment, the immediate area around them glowed, reflecting the colour of the transporter beam onto ice-capped pools of water amidst a rocky terrain. The light faded and was replaced by two piercing beams of white light as Seven and the Captain clicked on their wrist-lights.
It was night on this side of the planet, and they had come fully prepared for that. What they hadn�t expected was that the environment would be so cold. Seven suppressed a shiver, and saw the Captain blow warmth into cupped hands. Vapour escaped through the gaps in her fingers and dispersed in tiny droplets. Then the Captain pulled out her tricorder, seeming to forget about the cold, and began scanning. Seven did the same.
�The quantum field being generated by the fissure begins approximately 23 metres this way.� Janeway motioned the direction with the tricorder and began to lead the way up a slight hill towards its summit.
�Captain, I�m reading seismic disruptions building in rapidity. I suggest we secure ourselves immediately.� Seven said hurriedly.
�Agreed Seven. Grab a hold of something!� Janeway ordered. The two began to scan the immediate area with their wrist-lights, but found nothing but dirt, rocks and low shrubs.
�Down!� Janeway ordered, and grabbed Seven, pushing her to the ground and covering her partially with her own body. At that precise moment the ground began to shake violently. Rocks shook loose of their solid rooting in the dirt and rolled like giants� dice down the hill. Dust rose and filled Janeways nose with a smell that reminded her of things long dead, mummified. The air vibrated with the sound of a million things clashing together, and Janeways eardrums felt close to bursting. And then it stopped. The air was silent save for the sound of their own breathing.
Janeway moved off Seven �Are you alright?!� She asked, concern strong in her voice.
Seven sat up, wisps of stray hair hung in her face, pulled from their usual place of precision. She pushed them back from her face, and then held her arms before her, inspecting, �I seem to be�undamaged Captain. How are you?�
�I�m fine too. Lucky though, an inch closer and one of those rocks would have hit us and that would have been the end of our temporal shielding not to mention a trip to sickbay.� Janeway shook her head, astonished at their luck.
The pair slowly gained their footing, brushing some of the dirt from their clothes as they stood.
When Janeway glanced up, Seven had a stern look on her face �Captain, you should not have put yourself in harms way to protect me,� but then she paused and her body language softened �but thank you.�
Janeway regarded her tenderly. She reached out and put a hand on Seven�s shoulder smiling �Come on Seven, we�ve got work to do.�
Just then, the comm sounded �Chakotay to Away-team.�
�We�re here Commander� Janeway replied.
�Is everything alright down there, we just detected an earthquake� There was worry in his voice.
Seven replied �There was a considerable seismic instability, but the Captain and I are undamaged. Our temporal shielding is still active.�
Janeway added �Undamaged yes, but what I wouldn�t give for a strong cup of coffee about now.�
�Want me to have Neelix beam one down for you?� Chakotay joked.
�Of course, but I think it would be better if he just had one waiting when I get back.� Janeway said.
�Good to hear you�re both okay, Chakotay out.� and the comm-link ended.

A little while later Seven and the Captain stood at the fringe of the quantum field. They could tell that they had arrived even without the use of their tricorders. When they pointed the beams from their wrist-beacons ahead into the field, the light remained frozen in time, even after they directed the light elsewhere. As far as the beam extended, above and ahead of them, the light would remain suspended. The area was immense, easily the size of Voyager, expanding in front of them as far as sensors could tell. In the illumination of the light from their wrist-beacons, to the naked eye the field appeared ordinary, just a hollow crater with sparse plant-life and various rock formations. However, the tricorders told a different story. The quantum field was there alright.
Seven studied her tricorder intently �Captain, I am detecting many life signs inside the field. They were once different species, but now�they are all Borg.�
The Captains jaw was set with grim displeasure �This isn�t good Seven.� She turned slowly studying her own tricorder readings, walking away from Seven along the perimeter of the field. �I�m reading an artificial structure in there Seven, something large, and what�s more�� Janeway bent down and picked up a dried stick, the length of her forearm.
�Captain?�
�Just a minute,� She replied, and began to approach the fields rim �I have a hunch,�
She held the stick in a steady hand before her, and watched as half of it disappeared into nothingness. She pulled it back out, and discovered that it was still intact.
Seven was intrigued and came to inspect it closer. The Captain studied her tricorder readings of the wood.
�Just as I suspected Seven, the readings indicate that the wood exposed to the quantum field is dated differently. Its as if it is existing in all different time periods at once. Its amazing.�
�That is quite extraordinary, but I think we should leave now Captain, there is no sign of a distress signal from any species other than Borg. If we remain here any longer we may be discovered. I believe that the Borg have erred in their calculations. The quantum fissure would not be about to rupture if they had succeeded in mastering time travel into alternate realities as you hypothesised. Also, if we managed to develop temporal shielding that would allow us to step through this field and into the space beyond, then we can be sure that the Borg can do the same.�
�You�re right Seven, but there is a bigger risk here. This technology, if perfected, would mean being able to navigate any reality, any time, and effectively, any place in the universe in an instant. The equivalent of effecting Warp 10, but reversing in time to any point in history.� The unspoken thoughts that went through both of their minds involved scenarios, all implausible, in which Voyager could make use of such technology and arrive home in an instant, perhaps even before they had ever been stranded in the Delta-Quadrant by the Caretakers Array.
Seven interrupted her thoughts �That also explains the binary code being transmitted by the Borg. Binary code is a universal language, interpretable in any space time, and conceivably in any alternate reality. Math is a universal constant. It is likely that the homing beacon they transmitted is also designed to locate any other Borg vessels throughout the universe, and broadcast the location and existence of this fissure. The Borg are, in essence, assembling the hive.�
Janeway looked toward the field, deep in thought, then turned quickly and said �They cannot be allowed to make use of this technology. We have to seal the fissure. Now. But to do that, I need to know what that structure is behind the field. We need to know that it will be completely destroyed. I have to go through the field.� There was no room for argument on Janeways stern face. But this was Seven,
�But there is no telling what would happen to you if you went inside. Our temporal shielding is only a short-term measure.� Seven protested �I�ll go.�
Janeway just shook her head and smiled �At this rate, neither of us will go!�
As if on cue, the ground lurched beneath their feet, throwing them to the hard earth. Janeway felt her right elbow smash into something hard and pain knifed up her shoulder into her neck. The earth continued to shake. The light from their wrist-beacons snapped off one at a time, leaving them in relative darkness. Dust and debris caked in the Captains eyes, as she felt at the writhing ground and searched for Seven. Her probing hands found nothing but the cold earth. She hit her commbadge �Janeway to Seven of Nine� she yelled desperately over the thrumming roar of the quake. No response.
�Janeway to Voyager.� 1 second, 2, nothing. The quake stopped, but her troubles were far from over. She had no light, no communications, and worse of all, no Seven of Nine.
She began to stand, pushing herself upright, when in the darkness she heard a noise, a faintly mechanical noise. She reached for her phaser just as something cold and hard wrapped itself hard around her neck, she heard a slight hiss and felt pain punch at her neck and contort the left side of her face �ahhhh�� she cried, gasping for breath, and then the grip was gone and she fell to the cold earth once more.
She lay on the ground for a moment, clutching her injured arm in pain, staring absently at the star filled sky, knowing somewhere in the back of her mind that Voyager was one of those shining lights. She felt her body begin to tingle and realised how cold she felt. It took her just a second more to recognise the familiar feeling of being transported before she passed out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SO...????? getting a little exciting yet?

[Seven of Nine]

This is going great, one of the more interesting fics I've read recently (I'm sorry I didn't post before, but Itend to just read through them at the moment )

[Sarah Connor]

Gasp!

Who transported her?

Voyager? Was that the borg? Do they have her? And where is Seven of Nine?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!

I hate being in dispence!

[tom_88_2]

very good now continue

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

Mwuhahahahahhhhahaahahah!!!! I love writing. *sigh*

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

LAST TIME:

She lay on the ground for a moment, clutching her injured arm in pain, staring absently at the star filled sky, knowing somewhere in the back of her mind that Voyager was one of those shining lights. She felt her body begin to tingle and realised how cold she felt. It took her just a second more to recognise the familiar feeling of being transported before she passed out.

~~~~~~~~
THIS TIME:

�Did you get Seven?� She asked, coming to, straining to sit up on the biobed in sickbay.
�Remain still Captain,� the Doctor said, seeming quite flustered �these scans are quite sensitive, and you have a fractured ulnar The temporal shielding also went off-line, that is why you passed out.� Gently but forcefully, he pushed her back down prone on the bed.
At that moment the sickbay doors opened and a very worried Chakotay crossed the room at an almost run.
�I�m fine�did you get Seven Chakotay?� she asked, pre-empting him, again sitting up. The Doctor began mumbling to himself angrily, but continued to scan her.
�No, I�m sorry, we didn�t.� he said. Janeway felt a weight set in her throat like a stone, the feeling of anguish. �What happened to communications Chakotay?�
�There was an intense fluctuation in the quantum field, larger than any we had anticipated. It affected all communications, not just on the planet, but shipwide also. Effectively, it was some kind of electromagnetic pulse, and was responsible for the earthquake. It would appear that the fissure is close to rupturing. We were able to lock onto your signal once it had passed, but there was no sign of Seven anywhere. I�m sorry Captain, I can�t explain it, but she no longer seems to be on the planet.�
There was silence in the sickbay, even the doctor stopped scanning in shock, if that�s what you�d call it in the case of a hologram. Quickly he gathered himself and began tending to the Captains wounds.
Chakotay reached out and touched her dust covered hand. For the first time he really noticed what a mess she was. Her shoulder length hair was an unusual shade of brown, being caked with dust, there was a cut running down her arm that was rapidly decreasing in size as the doctor ran a dermal regenerator over it. She unlatched the transporter enhancer from her arm and placed it on the bed beside her, then looked up at him, her face now set with strength�she hadn�t given up on Seven. He smiled and began to speak �We�ll get right onto scanning for Sev�� it was then that he noticed some bruising to her neck. He moved his hand up to her chin and tilted her head gently to get a closer look, �Doctor?�
The Captain began to explain �Ah, that, well, it�s a long story but something��
�Oh my! Captain!� The Doctor exclaimed, brandishing his medical tricorder before him like a weapon �A more in-depth scan reveals that you blood is teeming with nanoprobes! You�ve been assimilated!�

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just a short one this time, but a good one I hope. I realized we're getting through this story in big chunks, and at this rate, you'll be up to where I'm up to in writing sooner than I want! hehe.

[Voy_Girl]

You must write more!

[tom_88_2]

this is a very good story

[Sarah Connor]

Borg! I knew it! See I know the borg sound!LoL. Continue Continue!

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

hey all, I'm at a friends place, so sadly no post right now, but I'm glad you're liking it. I'm with my friend who also loves Star Trek Voyager, last night we wore our comm badges around the house, and I brought my panel over for him to see. Oh, and he got a Janeway figurine, the original one, after all these years of not having her, and he's sooooo happy! So I played a little prank and hid her (very safely I might add) and he said his heart skipped when he saw she was gone! hehe. Ok, well, I'll try to post more soon, maybe when I get home tonight. Hope you're all well,

[Captain Katie O'Claire]

LAST TIME ON STAR TREK VOYAGER:~~~~~~~~~~~

The Captain began to explain �Ah, that, well, it�s a long story but something��
�Oh my! Captain!� The Doctor exclaimed, brandishing his medical tricorder before him like a weapon �A more in-depth scan reveals that you blood is teeming with nanoprobes! You�ve been assimilated!�
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS TIME:

�Assimilated!� the Captain and Chakotay burst out in unison.
�This is quite puzzling��the doctor studied his medical tricorder intently, pressing at it and then looking perplexed.
�But she�she isn�t, Doctor, she doesn�t look Borg!� Chakotay remarked, confused, taking a step back and looking the Captain up and down.
�You�re quite right Commander, now if you would kindly step back so I can examine her more thoroughly, I might be able to figure out what has happened and how to treat it.� The Doctor said, moving in front of Chakotay, reclaiming order in his sickbay and effectively blocking Chakotay from the Captains� view.
�I don�t�feel Borg either� she said, a slightly worried look on her face, as she ran a hand gently over her neck where she had been violated.
�Very strange indeed�� the doctor mumbled. �It seems that these nanoprobes are different somehow�I�m going to need a sample of your blood Captain� he said.
�Go right ahead Doctor� she answered. �This does fit with what happened down on the planet,� she began as the Doctor pushed a hypospray to her arm and it filled up with blood.
�Is the ship in danger Doctor?� She asked.
�I can�t be certain,� he said, placing a sample of the blood under the electron microscope, �but I don�t think so at this time. The nanoprobes� appear to be dormant� he looked up from the microscope slightly astonished. �They have invaded all of your body tissues on a cell level, but other than that, they appear to be just�well, sitting there. They are however emitting slight energy readings.�
Janeway turned from the Doctor to Chakotay, all business now �Commander, I�ll need you to continue searching for Seven while the Doctor and I try to come up with a solution. I want you to establish a level ten forcefield around sickbay, we can�t take any risks.�
Chakotay looked grim, but he nodded his assent.
The Captain reached down �take my tricorder and load it into the ships computer. Have B�Elanna and Harry work on identifying the structure we found in the fissure so we can completely blow the hell out of it.� Chakotay took the tricorder.
�I�ll get right on it. Are you feeling alright? What should I tell the crew?� he asked her, concern on his face.
She pursed her lips in thought and after a moment said �Tell them I was injured in the earthquake, and the Doctor is treating my wounds.� She took a deep breath and bit at her bottom lip slightly �now that you mention it I do feel a little strange.� she added.
The Doctor practically pounced on her �describe what you mean by strange.�
�Kind of tingly, like goose pimples all over my skin and inside my body��
A white light flashed before her eyes. Her skin stung like pins and needles.
And then she was standing in the turbolift. The doors opened and she stepped out into the hall, on deck two. An Ensign walked by and gave her a strange look as he said �Captain.� She didn�t say anything as she was confused, and he continued on by.
Something was very wrong here, she thought to herself. �Computer, where is Captain Janeway?� She asked. The flat female voice of the computer answered �Captain Janeway is on Deck Two, in Corridor Beta outside the Officers Mess.� Indeed, that was correct, so she wasn�t in Sickbay anymore? Was she hallucinating? She touched her commbadge �Janeway to the Doctor�.
The Doctor answered, opera playing in the background �Yes Captain, how can I help you?� She pinched the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger and tried to rub some of the tension away �Doctor, have I been to see you today?� She asked.
There was a slight pause before he answered �No Captain, did you mean to?�
�No�well, yes, Doctor, this is going to sound a little strange but�� she began when she was interrupted by the comm,
�Captain to the Bridge.�
�Oh, no.� She said aloud as reality dawned on her and her body sagged with realization. She leant her head to one side, stretching out some of the tension and moved her hands to her temples and then ran them down her tired face.
�Captain? Are you alright?� The Doctor asked over the comm as if he could somehow see her.
�I don�t think so Doctor,� she answered cryptically, �Janeway out.� Briskly she turned and walked back into the turbo lift.

Janeway stepped slowly out onto the bridge and didn�t say a word.
�Sensors have detected what would seem to be a quantum fissure Captain� Tuvok stated plainly, not sparing a glance in her direction.
She didn�t proceed any further but just stood where she was and regarded the bridge, an unhappy look on her face.
Chakotay turned in his seat to look at her, noticing a difference in her manner.
�Captain?� he asked, slightly startled by her appearance �What happened to you?�
It was then that she realised she was covered in mud and dust, had a cut on her right arm which the Doctor hadn�t finished healing, and bruising around her neck all from being down on the planet, or had she been on the planet? It was too confusing to think about, let alone explain.
She began to make her way to her command chair �I�m not completely sure what happened Chakotay, but I think I have a pretty good idea.� She said, and slumped into her seat. All eyes were upon her now, Harry and Tom were exchanging bemused looks, and Tuvok raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
She reached up and pressed at the bridge of her nose, again trying to relieve some of the stress that was building up within her. �I think you�d better get B�Elanna up here on the double, and the Doctor too.� She said. It was then that a thought struck her �Computer, locate Seven of Nine.� she said. The female voice responded �Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay Two.�
Relief washed over her �Maybe this isn�t as bad as I thought.� She said to herself.
�Kathryn?� Chakotay asked quietly, she smiled at him and touched his hand reassuringly, �I�ll explain everything in five minutes, in the Briefing Room.� With that she pushed herself up and headed toward her Readyroom. �After I get a strong cup of coffee.�

Fifteen minutes later the Captain had finished recounting at least most of her story. Puzzled faces looked back at her over the briefing room table.
No one was saying a thing, so she felt the need to prompt them �As far as I can tell, the temporally charged fissure on the planet has somehow caused me to skip randomly back in time. I don�t know for what purpose, or if there even is one, but it may give us a chance to fix some things that went wrong the last time.�
Finally, Tuvok broke the silence �Captain, I think you should have the Doctor examine you thoroughly to determine if this time phenomenon, as you called it, has had any negative side effects on your health.�
Janeway looked at him and then the rest of her officers seated around the table, they were all sitting there, just like they had been the last time. She decided to say what was on all of their minds
�And to make sure I haven�t gone nuts? I think that is a good idea,�
Tom interrupted her, �I�m sure that�s not what he meant, its just that it sounds so��
�Insane?� she finished for him, �You�re not wrong there Tom. I agree with you. But just look at me. Do I usually look like this after I come back from riding in the turbolift?� There was a pause and she noted some signs of acceptance on their faces.
�But I understand that we need some verification.� She said. �Doctor, if you wouldn�t mind?� She asked, prompting the Doctor to come over and begin scanning her with the medical tricorder he�d brought from Sickbay.
The little device beeped as he ran the scanner over her. �Captain! You have a fractured ulnar, you must be in considerable pain!� he said with a start.
She extended her arm and turned it this way and that, inspecting it �Actually, its strange Doctor, I don�t feel any pain there at all.�
�That can�t be right,� he said, perplexed.
�Also Doctor, don�t be alarmed, but if you run a more in-depth scan you will discover,� She began, but never got to finish,
�CAPTAIN!� The Doctor shouted in alarm, �You�ve been ASSIMILATED!�
There was stunned silence around the briefing table.
�Ha ha, very funny Doctor� B�Elanna quipped from the Captains left.
The Doctor began to protest �I do not find this the least bit amusing.� he said, laying the tricorder on the table for B�Elanna to see.
She shook her head in irritation and picked it up, and then her face seemed to wash of all colour, let alone humour.
The Captain rubbed her own face and rested her chin in both hands �Its true. It happened when Seven and I went, or go, down to the planet� She said simply. �Just before I entered this time loop, the Doctor, the one from my previous time, he determined that the nanoprobes were different somehow, inactive, but were emitting some low energy.�
The Doctor had begun scanning again, �That seems to be correct.� He said, studying his readouts �However, I�m going to need to study this further Captain, this may have something to do with the temporal phenomenon you are experiencing. You said that the quantum fissure on the planet has also been converted to some kind of time portal by the Borg, but that it wasn�t functioning properly, and that�s why the fissure is collapsing?�
�Yes,� the Captain answered �that�s what Seven and I determined.� she glanced at Seven who was sitting to her right beside Chakotay, just as she had been before. �Seven, if you go back and run an in-depth diagnostic on your Alcove, you will discover the encrypted transmission that you found last time. You didn�t receive it this time because we interrupted your regeneration cycle beforehand. You will know that all I have said is the truth, and we will finally be able to get to work closing that damned fissure and destroying whatever the hell that structure was inside it. I still need to know if we will be completely destroying the Hive�s ability to utilize this technology.� She stood from her chair, holding a warm cup of coffee between her hands. �This time, we�ll be able to do it right. I�m going to find out what that structure is myself.� She put her coffee down hard on the table, �Dismissed.� purposefully she turned on her way out of the room when Chakotay grabbed her arm and stopped her,
�You�re going down to the planet? After all you said happened last time? You need to go to sickbay so the Doctor can treat you! Who knows if you�re here to stay this time, or how far you could travel if you were to loop again!� There was a fire in his eyes she rarely saw. Her senior officers were averting their gaze, trying to seem as though they weren�t listening to what was a rare moment of conflict between their Captain and her First Officer.
�Chakotay, what I need, what we need, is to close that fissure! Until we do, none of us is safe.� She saw his eyes soften a little so she continued in a gentler tone �the Borg are down on that planet, yes, and who knows how many more are on their way to this very point in space� and time. We have to make sure that fissure and all its technology is obliterated. I have an advantage that none of you do; I�ve already been on the planet, I know what is going to happen down there. Therefore I have to go.�
Tuvok broke the sudden heavy silence in the room �Considering her experience and knowledge which none of us posess, the Captain is the Logical choice. However, might I advise that I also join you. You should have security assistance, and should indeed not go alone, especially when there are Borg on the planet.�
Janeway looked at him blank for a moment, then snapped out of it �Sorry Tuvok, I just had the strongest sense of Deja vu. That is almost exactly what you said to me the last time, and I�m going to have to disappoint you again I�m afraid. The least amount of people exposed to the temporal distortions, the better off we�ll all be by avoiding the temporal narcosis�isn�t that right Doctor?�
The Doctor was taken aback �you practically took the words right out of my mouth Captain. You�ll also know that you�ll need some kind of Temporal Shielding to protect you from the disrupted environment?� He asked, with a raised eyebrow and expectant head tilt.
The Captain turned to B�Elanna who had her mouth open about to speak �You and Seven get on it.� She ordered before either had said a word. Seven and B�Elanna exchanged surprised looks.
Captain Janeway smiled and then scooped up her coffee cup �I�m guessing I have about fifteen minutes?� She directed the question at Seven who took a short moment and then nodded. �Good, that�s just enough time for a quick shower and change of clothes.� With that, she left the briefing room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, what you think???
Does the "LAST TIME, and the THIS TIME" thing help you remember where you're up to without a lot of scrolling up the page to check the last post?...I hope so, that's my intention anyway. Ok, well, off to do homework that is due tomorrow. Why do I always leave things to the last minute...*sigh* oh well. .. I think I'll get a coffee and something to eat first...another distraction...hehe.

[Voy_Girl]

I think the "Last time" and "This time" are very helpful, though it might not be necessary if one chapter is posted just above another.
But when there's like 10 comments in between, it really is helpful.