Bab 20: Prime Factors: Part One
Chapter 20: Prime Factors: Part One.
(Three days later.)
Lieutenant Bini Filters POV
-----
Seska and B'Elanna walked over to the same table as I. Which is surprising on Seska's part because she still hates my guts and again: Blackmailing me. She gave me a sweet smile and slipped me a padd under the table as they sat across from me.
I carefully checked the padd out of anyone's eyesight. They were orders for me to get the ship's info ready with Tom in a couple of days. I looked back at Seska. Questioning wither or not she is truly insane by the amount of time she had given us. A couple of days. It is going to take more than a couple of days to pull this off. Not to mention how many red alerts it is going to set off. I can't handle this right now. I glared at her and looked over to B'Elanna. Who at this point was completely in her world as she started to openly eye a man who has just collected a meal from the counter. She turns back to see Seska and I looking at her.
"What?" She demanded. Seska rolled her eyes as she took a bite out of her meal.
"I've seen that look before. Ensign Murphy had better watch out." Seska joked. Joked. Seska is joking. What is going on this morning?!
"I happen to know that Murphy is seeing one of the Delaney sisters." B'Elanna muttered.
"Not since Harry and Tom Paris made their move." I pitched in.
"Harry and the Delaney sisters? He would have told me." B'Elanna insisted.
"I guess there are some things he keeps to himself." Seska reasoned.
"For once I agreed with the witch over here. Harry doesn't have to tell you everything, but if you are sooo curious then go ask him." I pointed behind her to where Tom and Harry sat eating breakfast. "He is right there."
B'Elanna turned around, catching the attention of Tom and Harry.
"Harry, is it true about you and the Delaney sisters?"
"Is what true?" Harry nervously asked while shooting Tom the side-eye.
"Come on Harry, there aren't any secrets on a ship this small." Seska said. Tom and I shared a look, we both know she doesn't think that there are secrets on a ship this small. She is part of one. Harry snapped his attention to Tom.
"What have you been telling people?" He demanded. Tom shrugged.
"Well, we did take that trip to Venice with them."
"The holodeck? You've got to be kidding. That lasted all of fifteen minutes."
"Yeah, you know, I've been meaning to ask you. What happened when you and Jenny Delaney disappeared in that gondola?"
"Nothing."
"Harry, we're your friends. You can tell us." B'Elanna encouraged.
"Nothing. We talked, and then I fell over the side." Harry muttered in response. All our jaws dropped and then stifled laughed broke through.
"You fell out of the gondola?" Seska clarified through laughter.
"I think maybe Harry wasn't quite prepared for how voracious Jenny Delaney can be." Tom joked. Harry scowled at all of us as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Shut it, Tom. I fell over. So what?!" Harry demanded.
"So what? Harry. Jenny will forever remember you as the guy who fell off the gondola, like a moron." I replied and took a long slip of water.
"Is moron like your main insult. Geez, get a new one." Seska complained. B'Elanna, Harry and Tom shared a knowing look that Seska had just unlocked a dragon that was going to roast her ass so bad.
"Seriously, witch? I didn't think you could stoop so low." I replied with a slight smirk.
"What the hell does that mean?" Seska barked. Causing some nearby occupied tables to look towards us for entertainment in the morning.
"It means that the best insult to my personality you could come up with was the way I insult people. Very bad. Very pathetic. Very stupid. Should I go on?"
"Don't you dare test me, midget. I can break your neck before you would even know what happened." Seska threatened.
"HA! I don't think so. Unlike you, I was trained in the Obsidian Order for a year. You can learn a lot about how to kill someone and get away with it at that time. Cardassians can be very efficient when they want too." I blurted out, without really thinking but I said it so too late now. May as well run with it. We both shot out of our chairs and gave each other glares that could melt metal. Tuvok suddenly appeared. Out of practically nowhere. He gave us the classic disappointed Vulcan eye raise.
"Um, can I help you, Tuvok?" I nervously asked.
"This is not appropriate behavior for officers. I am putting both of you on report." He replied. Seska scowled at him and muttered something about going to be late and rushed off. I hesitantly back off and ran out of the area because I didn't know how else to get outta this situation.
-----
Chakotay's POV
Kathryn sighed as she watched Seska leave in a very foul mood and Bini awkwardly run outta the room and the crew looked at each other, probably wondering about what Bini said when she slipped out that she worked for the Cardassians. Something that she doesn't want as common knowledge but when Seska is involved, all sanity is out the window.
"Just when I thought the crew was finally getting closer, I find out I am wrong." She muttered in a foul mood as Mollie loudly chewed her food on the ground beside her.
"It was only Seska and Bini. They were constantly fighting on the ship. One thing wrong and they were at each other's throat. If it makes you feel any better. They fight less now than they ever did on the ship." I explained. She brightened up a little bit, which overall made me feel a little better.
"Then I will rephrase. I think it's finally beginning to happen. Both crews getting along." She said. I smiled at her as I took another bite of my meal and Tuvok walked over to us, seeming having heard her.
"That kind of bonding should improve performance and maximize efficiency." He commented.
"Yes, I'm sure it will." Her combadge sudden chirped. She tapped it.
"Bridge to Captain Janeway." Rollins said over the channel.
"Janeway here. Go ahead."
"Captain, we're receiving a distress call in one of the lower subspace bands." He reported.
"I'm on my way. Janeway out." She barked and swiftly closed the channel and got up.
-----
Lieutenant Bini Filters
I followed Tuvok, Harry, Tom, The Captain (Who was with Mollie.) and finally Chakotay out of the turbo lift. It was like a mouse running after cheese in a corridor and then gave up by following the mouldy piece of cheese a security section...That was a horrible analogy. What I did was follow Tuvok to his station and stood beside him like a good second in command. I checked the rule book, the prime directive and the academy rule book and I can firmly say that this is not against the rules.
"Lieutenant?" He began. Shooting me a suspicious look as I slithered past him and logged on to the console behind him.
"Don't question it. I checked. It is OK. No rules are broken. I have work I need to be done. Just ignore me." I said and started on my work. I occasionally looked up as people puttered around and the Captain sat in her command chair with Chakotay next to her. Chakotay must have been reading a report about whatever called everyone up here because The Captain asked him for a report.
"The subspace distress signal is coming from a vessel bearing one two five mark two one. Distance two hundred thousand kilometres." He said.
"Captain, sensors indicate five lifeforms aboard." Harry called out as our sensors focused on the ship.
"The vessel is altering its course to intercept us." Tuvok reported as I looked up at the map of the sector and the ship did show to be heading towards us.
"Go to yellow alert and slow to impulse. Hail them, Mister Kim." The Captain barked.
"Aye, Captain." Harry said and after a few moments, the viewscreen flickered and a human-looking man appeared in strange clothing. He was smiling too. I feel like if you were in distress you wouldn't be taking the time to give us a big smile.
"This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. What is the nature of your emergency?" She asked and gave Chakotay a quick confused look because he looked fine. His ship looked fine.
"We have no emergency." He said as if this was a normal situation and we were making a house call.
"But you're sending out a distress call." Janeway said as she narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. He nodded in agreement as he started to give us a snarky grin.
"Yes, we are."
"Why?"
"Because you are in distress. I am Gathhorel Labin of the planet Sikaris. Please, let us welcome you to our system. Show you the hospitality of our people." He greeted. Like those commercials on FedNews that no one could care less about how damn great Starfleet was. We already knew.
"Now, that is some backwater logic right there." I muttered to Tuvok. He raised an eyebrow to the man.
"I agree, Lieutenant. It is not very logical." He said. I shook my head in disagreement.
"No, it is not that. I think it is worse than that. I don't trust or like this guy." I argued.
"That's very kind of you." The Captain said.
"If I could come aboard your ship, I have gifts for you and a proposal I hope you will find irresistible." He insisted and shut off the channel connecting our ships.
"Mister Tuvok, make the necessary arrangements to receive our guest." The Captain ordered and gave the bridge to Chakotay and swiftly left the bridge with Mollie. I straightened my posture.
"Permission to speak freely, sir?" I asked Chakotay. He hesitantly nodded as the rest of the senior staff present gave me amused looks.
"I don't trust this guy and in Tuvok's own words, his reasoning for this entire exchange was illogical. Isn't it illegal to send out a distress call when there is really none? Last I checked we weren't in distress. The ship looks fine." I explained. Chakotay sighed and gave me an annoyed look.
"I take it you want to be involved with the security measures during this?" He suggested. I nodded happily. Finally, I can do my job for once.
"Fine. I will discuss it with the Captain first." He snapped and handed the bridge over to Tuvok as he entered the ready room.
-----
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
I sat down at my desk with a steaming cup of coffee in my hands as I turned on my computer and looked down at Mollie, who had decided to fall asleep under my desk with loud snores. I smiled at her and looked back at the reports I needed to finish. Finding my mind wander to the strange interaction a few moments ago.
My door chimed, bring me back to reality, I gently set down the cup and said "Come in."
Chakotay walked in with a sour expression.
"Hello, Commander." I greeted and shut off my computer.
"Captain, Bini has a request which I would like noted I don't agree with." He said. I leaned back,
"Noted. What is it?" I asked.
"She has requested that she help in the security measures when Gath comes aboard."
"How is this an issue?" I asked.
"She is 14 years old. I don't think she is mature enough to handle this." He argued as I took a sip of my coffee.
"I know you don't agree with the fact that I made her second in command of security. I agree that it was a hasty decision and I have been considering moving her to a different position on the ship." I said. "But, I think we should give her this one. A chance to really know what her job is like."
He sighed and ran his hand through his black hair. I could tell he was unsure about this but I still think she deserves a chance to prove herself at least once.
"Alright." He said. I nodded.
"Dismissed."
-----
(One Hour later.)
Lieutenant Bini Filters POV
I held a tight grip on Mollie's leash as she kept on pulling on it. Trying to get to her owner as Tuvok kept giving me looks of disappointment beside me as the Captain and Gath walked into the messhall as Neelix and Kes puttered around in the kitchen. I am going to be honest here. I don't like, trust or want to me around this guy and let's be honest here. He is giving the Captain looks.
"Mister Labin, it really isn't necessary to go to all this trouble." Captain Janeway insisted.
"Please. Call me Gath. And I promise you I would like nothing better than to prepare a few of our newest delicacies for you." He flattered and looked at the kitchen over. "Ah, this will be perfect."
"Captain, I'm serving lunch in less than two hours." Neelix protested once he became aware of us.
"We won't be long, Neelix. This is Mister, this is Gath. He's from Sikaris." The Captain introduced. Gath pulled out a dish from a bag he was carrying and set it on the counter to an amazed Neelix.
"Ah! Ooo. Sikaris!" Neelix let out in surprise and praise. I rolled my eyes.
"Do you know the planet?" Janeway asked.
"Only stories about their incredible hospitality." Neelix continued.
"Tell me, how do you know about us?" Janeway asked.
"Our people are very well travelled. Some of them have brought backstories about the ship of aliens from another part of the galaxy. People lost and alone, struggling to find their way home again." We all nodded in understanding and Janeway, Neelix and Kes sampled Gath's food.
"This is wonderful."
"And I decided to come and meet you and offer you respite." He said with a snarky grin. God, I hate this guy.
"Respite?" Tuvok repeated.
"A vacation, if you will. Get away from the confines of the ship, enjoy the beauty of our landscape, meet and talk with interesting, learned people." Gath explained like, again, a commercial.
"And the crew would certainly welcome a little shore leave, Captain." Kes said.
"And I hear the Sikarians have a huge variety of edible plants. If we could collect some seeds, we'd expand our selection significantly." Neelix added.
"Sounds like all this would increase performance and maximize efficiency, don't you think, Mister Tuvok?" She asked and looked over to him. He was chief of security.
"Indeed."
"Well Gath, it looks like you're getting visitors. We'll set a course and follow you in."
"I could not be happier."
We started out of the messhall. Hopefully heading towards the transporter room-
"Mommy!" Micheal yelled. Bolting into the room, dragged Sarah with her. Completely ignoring anyone as they reached her and invaded her space. Thank you!
"Micheal, Sarah? What is it?" She asked. A little annoyed to be interrupted like this. But the look on Gath's face when it hit him that she had kids and that she might be married was priceless.
"Sarah broke the holodeck again!" He snapped and glared at her. Sarah stuck her tongue out in response. The Captain pinched the bridge of her nose and looked down at them again.
"Did you report it to B'Elanna?" She asked. They shook their heads "No." She tapped her combadge.
"Janeway to Torres." She said and gave an apologetic smile to Gath. Creepy Gath was staring at her and I could tell Micheal and Sarah didn't like this guy either.
"Torres here, Captain. What can I do for you?" B'Elanna asked over the channel.
"Micheal and Sarah have accidentally broken the holodeck again." The Captain started and B'Elanna interrupted by swearing some...questionable phrases.
"God damn it! Again!!" She yelled which probably caused engineers to shrivel up and cry to whoever was nearby.
"Miss. Torres..." The Captain warned and gave a small smile to Sarah and Micheal.
"I am sorry, Captain." B'Elanna quickly apologized but she was still wearing under her breathe.
"It is alright, Lieutenant. Janeway out."
The Captain sighed in irritation and looked back at Gath to discuss further plans for shore leave. My next move was an issue. It was bad. But when a creep. Keep in mind, a creep is glaring at your Captain in a...um...dare I say...sexual way. Sweet lord, I hated to think that but it was the truth, my instincts kicked in and a stupidly decided to pitch in.
"Captain. May I suggest something?" I pitched in. She nodded her approval.
"I suggest that when you go down to shore leave, you take your kids and Mollie with me. As second in command of security. I think I can keep them safe with you." I said with a big grin. She looked at me with confusion for a moment. Unsure if I was serious or didn't understand what I said. Then her expression changed to understand and she nodded her approval.
"Request approved."
-----
(One Hour Later.)
Micheal Janeway's POV
We walked across a clean bright plaza on the planet below with Mommy, Gath, Sarah, Bini and Mollie. The crew had spread out and was touring the planet as Sarah, Bini and I kept a close eye on Gath. It was quite clear that none of us trusted Gath. None of us liked Gath. And we weren't going to let Mommy fall for him.
We walked past shops with fabric and food of many different types.
"If you see anything you like, just let me know." Gath said as he put a hand on the lower back of Mommy. Causing us all to cringe behind them. Mommy awkwardly moved away and moved closer to a stand with fabric and ran her hand down it.
"What is this material? It's so delicate." Mommy said as she played with the fabric.
"Exquisite, isn't it? It's the latest import from Vedestris. It's spun from the petals of a flower that blooms only in moonlight. Shall I have a dress made for you?" He asked with a sly grin. Bini held herself up against a pillar and looked like she was ready to punch him. I am with Bini on this one. He needs to get away from Mommy.
"That sly son of a bitch. I have got to figure out how to get him away from her." Bini muttered to herself under her breathe.
"We." Sarah and I softly corrected with venom in our voices as we glared at Gath. Mommy shook her head with a smile.
"It's lovely but, no, thank you." Mommy insisted.
"Is it so hard for you to accept a gift?" Gath pressed
"All right, but something small. Maybe a scarf?" She insisted.
"What a curious person you are. Tell me would it help if I said that you could have an entire wardrobe made from these beautiful fabrics and that it would give all of us great pleasure to create it for you." He said, slithering closer to Mommy and holding her hands with a firm grasp on the fabric still in Mommy's hands. Mommy gave him an awkward expression.
"Let's start with a scarf." She argued.
"Too close, too close." I muttered in panic. We all nodded in agreement as Mollie growled at Gath. The Captain turned towards us. Oh no. She was giving us the look. The look that means "go explore somewhere else."
"Bini, why don't you go take the kids and explore the planet." She suggested. But we all knew it was an order. We all hesitantly stepped away and we allowed Bini to slowly lead us away. I grabbed Bini by her arm once we were far enough so that they couldn't see us for her to stop.
"What are you doing? We have to stop Mommy from-" I started to protest but Bini spun around and grabbed me by my shoulders.
"Micheal. As much as I would love to come up with some complicated plan to save your mother from the clutches of Gath over there and believe me, I do. But, we can't. At least not right now." She took Sarah's hand with Mollie's leash in her other and smiled down at me.
"Believe me when I say, we will make Gath pay. Come on. Let's go find Harry."
-----
Harry Kim's POV
I watched in amazement as Eudana a woman I met on the planet, waved a device over a device over what looks like a minimalist harp. It making harmonic tones.
"That's beautiful. Are you a musician?" I asked as she continued.
"This isn't a musical instrument. It's an atmospheric sensor. The frequency of the chimes indicates changes in weather conditions." She explained with a sweet smile.
"Then it must work on a principle of non-linear resonance, adjusting to the dynamic variables in the atmosphere." I concluded.
"That's exactly right. Are you a scientist?" She asked.
"In a sense. Can you show me how to operate it?" I asked. She nodded.
"I'd be happy to. First, you have to initialize the sub-harmonic mode." She started to explain and switched on the hand device. I took it gently and moved it around the struts and wires of the weather station.
-----
Captain Kathryn Janeway
I regrettably sent Bini, Mollie and my kids to go explore. I watched them disappear around a corner. I quite honestly did not want them to go but I don't think they would want to listen to me negotiate with Gath. They clearly do not like him.
I finally found another piece of cloth that I very much liked and held it up to me to see how it looked.
"Oh, I think this one." I decided.
"When I see you wearing that scarf, my pleasure will be greater than yours." He flirted. I placed it down as he kept staring at me.
"Well, I should get back. But with your permission, I'd like to start organizing teams to gather plants and seeds." I said. Trying to draw the conversation to negotiations and work. Suddenly another man appeared beside Gath.
"This is my associate, Jaret Otel. You may contact him to make any necessary arrangements." He introduced.
"We'll be glad to assist you in any way, Captain." Jaret said with a genuine smile towards me.
"I'll find my officers and we'll return to the ship." I said.
"Tonight we are having a celebration here. I hope you and your officers will be my guests." He urged. After a moment of hesitation." I nodded.
"We'd be delighted." I said.
-----
(Ten minutes later.)
Harry Kim's POV
Eudana and I had fallen into a casual conversation about her life and her hopes as I noticed Bini, Mollie and her kids walked towards us. Each of them (Except Mollie.) looked worried about something.
"Hey, Bini! Hey kids." I greeted. Sarah and Micheal mumbled "Hello." and sat down beside me as Bini sat down beside Eudana and gave her a smile, then held out her hand.
"Hello, I am Bini Filters!" She greeted. Eudana chuckled and shook her hand.
"I am Eudana. Lovely to meet you." She replied.
-----
((Captain's log, stardate 48642.5. The crew is enjoying an evening on Sikaris. They are discovering, to their delight, that reports of this species' hospitality have not been exaggerated.))
(Time: 7 pm.)
Bini Filters POV
Harry and I sat with Eudana in casual clothes as Harry and I explained how we got into the Delta Quadrant and the whole Caretaker fiasco.
"So the whole thing exploded and there we were, seventy thousand light-years from home and no way to get back. It felt pretty lonely." Harry sobered. I rolled my eyes at the cringy ending he added in there. Eudana seemed interested at least as she leaned in.
"That's a very noble story." She said.
"Noble?" Harry and I repeated in surprise.
"Stories can be whimsical, or frightening, or melancholy, or many other things. But noble stories are the ones that can most affect our lives." She explained. "May I have your permission to tell others this story?"
"Sure. It's no secret." Harry agreed.
"But stories are an essential part of every person's being. I would never share one without permission." Eudana explained.
"Go right ahead. I've got a few others too." Harry said and I nodded in agreement. Her eyes widened.
"You do? Come with me. I know a private place where you two can tell me all your stories." She said and gestured us to follow her and we ran after her as we entered another part of the room.
We ran onto a circular platform and Alastria held onto our arms.
"Stand close to me." She warned. "Alastria."
We were suddenly grabbed by a transporter beam and the plaza faded away and we rematerialized in a lush forest. Harry and I slowly stepped off the platform with our jaws dropped as the shock of what just happened hit us. We managed to pull it together before Eudana noticed.
"Where are we?" Harry asked as Eudana lead us through the forest.
"The woods of Alastria, my favourite place. I usually come here when I want to spend time alone but, tonight it seemed right to bring you. Now, tell me your stories. All of them." She said as we continued on.
"Why is it so much warmer here?" I asked with annoyance as I push passed a thick bush. She didn't answer as we reached a clearing near a cliff and the sun started to rise...two suns started to rise with a gentle breeze flowing over the area. Last I checked there was only one sun.
"What is that?" Harry asked at the event that was taking place.
"The dawn zephyr."
"Dawn? We just got here. That's, that is an amazing feeling. What's happening?"
"The erosene winds, passion winds, come just before the dawn. The erosene creates euphoria." She said. I looked over to the two suns again as we settled down on a log, facing the sunrise.
"Why am I seeing two suns?" I asked. Unsure if I was insane or I read the sensor readings wrong that there was only one sun in the system. I seriously hope I was just reading the sensor readings wrong.
"Because this is a binary system." Eudana said. Harry and I looked at each other in panic. We were not in a binary system.
"But your planet only has one sun." Harry argued.
"But Alastria has two."
"Eudana, where are we?" I asked again.
"I told you. Alastria. A system far from Sikaris."
"How far?" Harry asked.
"Do you have to ask all these questions?" She complained.
"Please, it's important." Harry begged.
"Alastria is about two and a half billion times the distance between Sikaris and it's sun." She answered.
"That's almost forty thousand light-years." I muttered and Harry is sitting there in shock as Eudana, who couldn't take the clue, cuddled up against Harry.
"Now, feel the breeze." She said, trying to drive the conversation in a different direction. Harry finally pulled it together and uncurled Eudana from him.
"Er, we have to go back." Harry said.
"It's still night on Sikaris. We have plenty of time." She complained.
"No, er, we're going back, and I need you to tell me everything you know about that platform that got us here."
-----
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
"-And tomorrow night you must let me take you to the theatre." He continued. I brought myself out of my thoughts and looked back at him with the best smile I could muster through my exhaustion.
"Oh my, I have lost all track of time. My crew has gone. I'm the last one here." I realized.
"I hope that's because you're enjoying yourself." He flirted again.
"I am."
Gath slowly moved in for a kiss. I guess I didn't have enough time to react before he kissed me. And I let him. I heard the rustling of footsteps running across the plaza before it hit me that they came to an abrupt halt.
I instantly pulled back to catch my breathe and he smiled back.
"Sweet lord!" A familiar voice exclaimed. I snapped to look at the small form of a girl with pericing blue eyes, brown hair done up into a ponytail wearing casual clothes of a sweater, jogging pants and tied shoes. It was Bini. Who was clutching her mouth with on hand, her eyes wide open as she stared at us.
Harry and a resident ran up beside her, out of breath.
"Captain! Excuse me for interrupting but I've just found out about something incredible." Harry said. I choose to temporarily ignore Bini as she looked down at the ground.
"Calm down, Ensign. What is it?" I asked. Getting up and placing a calm hand on his shoulder,
"That platform." Harry pointed towards a circular platform in another room. "It's a transportation device. Extremely sophisticated. It operates on the principle of folding space."
"That's something that's been theorized, but no one's ever been able to develop the technology." I reasoned.
"Well, these people have. I've just been to Alastria and back. Alastria is forty thousand light-years away." He continued. Gath stood up and walked forward to stand beside me.
"We call it a spatial trajector. We are able to travel to all the planets in this quadrant." Gath explained.
"How far can it take you?" I asked him.
"Alastria is at the uttermost limits of its range." Gath replied.
"Apparently it's never been used to move anything as large as Voyager, but as I understand the principle of space folding, the size of the object isn't relevant." Harry added.
"What do you think? Would it be possible to modify your technology so we could use it?" I asked Gath.
"I tried to tell him." Eudana pleaded.
"What is it?" I asked the group.
"We cannot share our technology. Once it's out of our control, it might fall into the hands of those who would abuse it, and our canon of laws strictly forbids that." He said.
"But we wouldn't abuse it. Don't you see what it would mean to us?" Harry pleaded.
"Please, don't make it more difficult for me. I don't enjoy denying you this, but our canon of laws has determined our entire system of values. To break one of its precepts would undermine everything we believe in. I'm sorry, but there can be no exceptions to the law." Gath snapped.
"Let's go." Bini snapped and tapped her combadge. "Filters to Voyager. One to beam up.
-----
(One hour later.)
Bini Filters POV
I cradled my Hot Chocolate as I quietly sat in the messhall. Everyone had long since left and Neelix was kind enough to let me stay after hours.
People always say that I meddle in things I shouldn't. For once I agree with them. God...What am I going to tell Sarah and Micheal?
I heard the door open and heavy footsteps cross the room. I slowly looked up from the swirling chocolate to see Chakotay looking down at me with a concerned expression.
"Bini? Are you OK?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Do I look okay to you?" I snapped. He narrowed his eyes at me. "I am sorry, Commander. Rough day."
He sat down across from me. "It's Chakotay, Bini. I am here as a friend. What is wrong?" He asked.
"I saw something today. Something that disturbs me more than it should but that doesn't make me feel any damn better because I have to tell them. I have to tell them because I am their friend. I can't look at them and not let them know." I ranted.
"What are you talking about?" Chakotay pressed, taking one of my hands and squeezing it in a comforting father's way.
"Gath. Gath kissed Janeway." I muttered and pushed my cup away. Resting my head down on the table as I felt Chakotay tense up (Note: In jealously. Ohhhhhh.) but his grip was still on my hand.
"Are you going to tell Micheal and Sarah?" He asked.
"Have you listened to nothing I have been saying? I have too!" I snapped and ripped my hand from his grasp. "I have too."
---End of Chapter 20. Next: Prime Factors. Part Two.---
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone