Part III.

B'Elanna raised herself from underneath a charred conduit she was working on and tapped her combadge.

"Captain, the repairs are going well. I can't give you an estimate on when we'll be done yet. I'll be there as soon as I can. Torres out."

B'Elanna dusted herself off with her good hand and motioned for a nearby officer to take over.

"I'm leaving you in charge. I'll be back."

B'Elanna walked out of Engineering and made her way down the corridor to the turbolift.

"I have arranged for periodic tactical systems checks and if OPS would assist with constant sensor locks on any away team members, as well as continuous scans of surrounding space, I believe it will suffice for the safety of the crew." Tuvok handed Janeway a PADD with all his tactical recommendations on it and took his seat at the conference table.

"Sounds good," the Captain replied as she made her way to the head of the table.

Finally, the turbolift opened to admit Neelix and the Doctor. With repairs being made throughout the ship, its use was at a premium...

...As was the Doctor's patience. During these emergency situations, Neelix had a tendency to be intolerably hyper when he suspected he was in danger. This was one of those times. Stuck in the small confines of the lift, the Talaxian nervously ran off all possible scenarios while pacing and counting on his fingers. Although all this manic activity irritated the Doctor, his psychoanalytical subroutines brought him to the conclusion that it was healthier for Mister Neelix to expend excess energy in this manner.

Following what appeared to be an interminable amount of time, the turbolift finally arrived at its destination. The Doctor hurried out with the suggested air of efficiency, while Neelix scurried behind him.

They entered the briefing room, and finally there was something that caused Neelix to cease his conjectures: The lush view out the window.

The Talaxian blinked at the sight of land outside the windows. It was...strange, after he had been so used to the usual panorama of stars.

"Nice view," he whispered to the Doctor before sitting down. Now that they were planetside, they were safe for the moment. Hopefully all his dire predictions wouldn't come true!

Neelix turned to the EMH and continued in a hush. "I wonder what kind of flora this planet has. Do you have any idea why the Borg have avoided this place? Maybe we shouldn't be staying around here too long. Are we in any kind of danger?"

He heard a hissed order to be quiet from one of the officers and quickly swiveled back around in his seat, berating himself silently.

B'Elanna stepped into the room and took a seat beside the Doctor at the conference table. She gave him a quick nod and a smile before straightening her uniform and looking expectantly at the Captain.

Janeway took her seat at the head of the table. She put the PADD down and looked over at all of Voyager's senior crewmembers, who had now arrived. She got straight to the point. "Where do we stand on repairs?" she addressed B'Elanna.

"I've shut the warp core down. Right now we're running diagnostics on the injector ports. I want to make sure they're aligned before we try to cold-start the warp core. I won't lie to you, Captain. This could be a long and difficult process."

The Doctor listened patiently to everyone, then turned to Castillo, who had also been invited. "Ensign," he asked, "exactly what is the status of this planet?"

Upon being addressed, the ensign eagerly checked his PADD: "Class M, sir. 80% water. Vegetation over most of the land as well as in the water, most varieties emitting the same signature as those in the Alpha Quadrant. Evidence of life forms such as insects, reptiles, and lesser mammals."

The Doctor shrugged. "Sounds perfect for colonizing."

There was a silence.

"Hm." The Doctor pondered why the Borg avoided such a seemingly benign region. Was there something they overlooked in the readings? Was this veritable treasure trove of resources too good to be true?

Tom looked over to the Doctor. The EMH seemed to be worried. Somehow this strange planet was too good to be true; they all could feel that.

"Hey, who knows, maybe this is the perfect planet for shore leave and recreation." Tom tried to cheer up his crewmates.

But he also sensed that something was wrong out there. This was certainly no second Risa, no fun planet. But what was it? He couldnīt tell...

Chakotay finished listening to the ensign and looked over to Janeway. "Maybe we should run a diagnostic on all ships systems and make sure sensors are functioning properly. This planet almost sounds too good to be true, Captain!"

The captain looked at him and replied, "Chakotay, I want you and Tuvok to take an away team and scout the area. Report back to me with your findings. Doctor, you and Neelix can work on resupplying Voyager with food and natural substances for medicine, if needed. B'Elanna, I'm assigning you to work with Seven of Nine to make repairs. I know you're not too fond of her, but with her expertise on Borg technology, she can prove to be a real asset." After rattling off her orders, Janeway sat back in her chair and looked at her senior crew.

Neelix nodded. "Aye, Captain," he murmured absently, mentally reviewing in his mind the status of the ship's stores. They could definitely use some fresh food; as for the medical supplies, the Doctor would know. **Phasers are probably a must,** he thought to himself, glumly. The planet looked safe, but something had to be keeping the Borg out.

"Aye, Captain," said the hologram, "the situation in Sickbay is under control. Our remaining casualties consist of minor injuries, and Kes can handle them while I go with Mister Neelix." He was doing his best to suppress his elation over the prospect of having to traverse the unknown for hours with the irritating Talaxian.

The first senior officers were leaving the room and Tom Paris looked at Captain Janeway.

"Captain, I donīt want to be odd man out. Maybe I could join the away team. Or do you have other tasks for me?" Tom looked at the captain expectantly.

"Why don't you see if you can help B'Elanna and Seven of Nine with repairs in Engineering? I'm sure they could use an extra pair of hands."

After finishing with Tom, Janeway addressed everyone. "You're all dismissed," she announced. "Keep me posted on your status."

Tuvok stood and nodded to Chakotay, waiting to follow his lead. "As ordered, Captain." he acknowledged, and then spoke to the assembled staff. "I cannot express the need for extreme caution strongly enough. All away teams will be assigned a security detail armed with phaser rifles programmed for random frequency remodulation. However, has anyone thought to question Seven of Nine regarding this planet? As a former member of the Collective, she must know why the Borg are avoiding it.

The Doctor nodded, then got up to head back to Sickbay for supplies and to make arrangements with Kes. Scurrying up to him from behind came Neelix. Out of the Talaxian's sight, he rolled his eyes and sighed.

After Captain Janeway dismissed everyone, B'Elanna rose from her chair. "Captain!" she called. "I need to speak with you."

Tom was just leaving the conference room when he heard BīElanna calling. The pilot stopped and looked back.

"BīElanna, Iīm waiting outside, ok?"

He nodded and left the room.

After the briefing, Chakotay decided to talk with Janeway and get something off his chest. But when he saw B'Elanna stand up and walk over to her, he changed his mind. He then turned and walked out of the briefing room ahead of Tuvok.

Kes crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, grateful that the emergency was over and everything was finally under control. Seeing the pain on the faces of her friends and colleagues was emotionally draining. "Kes," Ensign Leone said, smiling at the Ocampan.

Kes returned her warm smile. "All finished?" she anticipated.

Marita nodded, closing a medical tricorder and setting it on a nearby tray. "All done. I'm going to return to my regular post now."

Kes nodded and waved her hand. "Thanks for staying behind to help. You did very good."

Leone smiled and brushed her raven hair behind her ears. "Thank you, Kes." And with that she turned and left Kes in the quiet of Sickbay.

Taking a breath, she pushed herself from the wall and started putting instruments back into their proper places and generally fixing up Sickbay before the Doctor returned. She idly wondered what was going to happen now.

Captain Janeway looked on as B'Elanna rose from her chair.

"Captain!" she called. "I need to speak with you."

Janeway walked over to where Torres was standing and spoke to her. "Yes; go ahead," she said.

"With all due respect, Captain, I don't think that Borg should be involved in our repairs." B'Elanna looked straight into the Captain's eyes with a look of determination. "I also think that I have too much going on in Engineering to be playing babysitter." She waved her arms vigorously.

Tuvok followed Commander Chakotay out of the Ready Room. He tapped his combadge as he addressed the security squads.

"Security Teams, you have your assignments. Co-ordinate with me through Ensign McQueen on Voyager. I want an open frequency to Voyager at all times with 10-minute status reports. I will be with Commander Chakotay's Away Team."

He nodded to his senior staff member, Ensign Jenna McQueen, to take over the tactical station on the bridge.

"Maintain orbital scans. We do not want to be caught on the ground if the Borg overcome their reluctance to approach the planet."

He turned to acting OPS officer Castillo. "Please keep us informed of planetary conditions, Ensign. Even the smallest detail could mean the difference between life and death."

He then turned to the First Officer. "Orders, Commander?"

Tuvok's question brought Chakotay back to the present. "I'm sorry, Tuvok," he said, "I was distracted. What is it you wanted to know?"

Seven of Nine stalked around the echoing Cargobay. The humans had perplexed her with their curious mix of the irrational with the rational since her arrival on Voyager, and perplexed her even more so now. She'd been expecting to be summoned to their briefing to offer her perspective on the situation and her knowledge. It was vital knowledge for them to have, especially in their current situation - the ship was heavily damaged and they could be here for some time. Surely they could not know about the planets less obvious defences - the Borg hadn't detected them until the symptoms of prolonged exposure began manifesting themselves. Not that they didn't take long to manifest however - within a standard day most drones were afflicted in varying degrees. Nothing the Borg had been able to devise had been able to prevent it, nor had they been able to discover the source - even if it were of a biological or technological phenomenon, or a combination of both. Surely the crew would be experiencing discomfort soon. Surely...

But the summons had not come and here she was, pacing around the bay, waiting for something productive to do. She'd tried regenerating, but had needed only thirty minutes worth to bring herself up to required energy levels. So she'd straightened the Cargobay and put it back into its usual pristine condition. Then she'd checked the progress of the repairs being made elsewhere on the ship. She was not allowed to assist them herself - she had no assignment and they would no doubt view her presence with apprehension, making them work less efficiently in her presence. So, instead, she continued her mathematically precise pattern of pacing until she tired of it - it was unproductive, after all - and then decided to monitor the progress of repairs and do some research via her console.

Neelix jogged down the corridor to Sickbay, looking down at the list of supplies that they might need onboard. However suspicious the planet seemed, it was still land...he should be trying to enjoy himself a little more...

Realizing he was falling far behind the briskly strolling Doctor, he hurried to catch up. "I've got a list of plants and such I'm hoping to gather on the planet. I'm sure you have a few things you need yourself. Here," he said. Neelix was ahead of the Doctor, walking backwards and bubbling with enthusiasm. "Add whatever you'd like," he added, pointing to the PADD he handed to the EMH.

The Doctor sighed. "Thank you, Mister Neelix. I'm sure I will. Provided these plant species exist. Now: unless you wish to be run over, I suggest that you step aside and let me resume my usual comfortable pace to Sickbay."

Neelix chuckled as he complied. Sometimes he just missed the tone of delivery.

"I'll see you in the Transporter Room in one hour, Mister Neelix," said the Doctor. "And pack light this time."

"I always pack light," muttered Neelix defensively as he stepped aside. He considered stopping by Sickbay to see how Kes was holding up, but remembered that she and the Doctor would probably be busy readying themselves for the away mission.

Besides, he'd spent enough time in Sickbay lately. He shuddered, glad that his job didn't involve medicine of any kind. Walking back down the corridor to the turbolift, the Talaxian decided to make a quick stop to the mess hall to make sure everything was in order before packing - lightly - for the mission.

Janeway listened patiently to B'Elanna's concerns. Torres was waving her arms around in the air frantically. "I think you'll need her help. She used to be Borg and perhaps she can make some modifications that will help keep us in one piece."

B'Elanna couldn't believe that Janeway would trust the Borg woman so easily.

Captain Janeway noticed as B'Elanna lowered her arms that she was holding one of her wrists in a strange way. "Are you injured, B'Elanna?" Janeway inquired, motioning toward Torres' hand.

B'Elanna gripped her injured wrist in her other hand. "It's...it's not that bad. I think we have more important matters to attend to, don't you?"

The Doctor reached Sickbay. It was strange how something, which felt practically like a prison during his first two years of existence, could be such a relief to come back to. He perked up upon entering and seeing everything under control. "Ah, Kes..." he started.

Kes turned from the terminal she was working at and smiled. "Doctor," she greeted. "I've finished treatment of the patients and returned the medical equipment to their proper places. The emergency medics have returned to their posts. Crewman Tait," she indicated the young man they'd brought from out of respiratory arrest, "is asleep."

"Splendid," he grinned. He walked with her to his office. "I will be leaving the ship, and I need you to prepare for me a kit with which to test and store any useful substances I find which may be synthesized into medicines."

Kes smiled and said, "I'll get right to it," as she headed to a workstation and started picking out some necessary instruments from a nearby compartment.

In no time, the diligent Ocampan had everything the Doctor needed in a case. He slung it over a shoulder, holstered his medical tricorder on his right hip, and a phaser on his left. "Well, I suppose it's time," he grinned. "Hold down the fort while I'm gone. If there is a medical emergency which requires my expert attention, just call." As an afterthought, he detoured back to his office to fetch his new holoimager, then headed out and towards the turbolift.

Kes nodded and smiled back in her usual sweet manner as he left her waving at Sickbay's threshold.

"I was merely awaiting your orders, Commander."

Chakotay glanced over at the doors to the Briefing Room. B'Elanna was still in there with the Captain. He still wanted to speak to the Captain himself, but...

It can wait, he decided.

"All right. Follow me," he said, and led Tuvok into the turbolift. "Deck Three."

"However," said Tuvok, as the turbolift car descended, "since you have asked, I was wondering as to the wisdom of not involving Seven of Nine any further."

Chakotay said nothing. The turbolift doors opened. He led the way down the corridor to his office.

B'Elanna waited for Janeway's reply.

"Repairing the ship is important, but so is your health. I think you should get down to Sickbay and get that checked out."

"Fine, Captain, but I would still like to request that Seven of Nine be put use in another capacity. I don't want her in Engineering," B'Elanna spat out.

"I've made my decision," Janeway replied firmly. "Get to Sickbay and then go to Engineering. Tell Seven of Nine to meet you there." She motioned toward the door. "Dismissed."

"Yes, sir," grumbled B'Elanna. She stomped toward the door, trying to show Janeway her displeasure. Outside the room, B'Elanna tapped her combadge, "Torres to Seven of Nine. Meet me in Engineering in 10 minutes. Torres out." She looked over at Tom who seemed to be waiting for her...

The pilot grinned.

"At last!" he remarked, "can we go now?"

Then he noticed BīElannaīs bad mood and her injured wrist.

"Hey, what happened in there? Problems with the Captain?"

He took a closer look at her injury.

"Come on, letīs get to Sickbay first. Iīm sure your team can handle the situation down there for a few more minutes, ok?"

B'Elanna smirked at Tom. "I'm not planning on going to Sickbay," she said quietly. "I think we'd better get to Engineering and safeguard it against that Borg, don't you?"

Neelix shuffled down the hallway, carrying a small pack of items that would be useful on the planet. He made certain he didn't "overpack," so the Doctor had better not complain!

He entered Transporter Room and smiled at the ensign at the controls. Now just to wait for the rest of the team...

Tom Paris smiled again. He had anticipated her reply. Sometimes he knew "his" BīElanna all too well...

"Ok, itīs your choice. Letīs go then" he said.

BīElanna nodded and a few minutes later they entered Engineering. Tom scanned the room. It didnīt look very good.

"Well, here we are! Work is what makes life worth while, right?" he commented.

He looked around.

"By the way, where is Seven of Nine?"

"I summoned her to Engineering. She should be arriving any moment," replied B'Elanna. "How would you like to help me recalibrate the warp flow valve?" she asked, smiling at the helmsman.

The last time the Doctor and Neelix were assigned together, the EMH had to hoist three bug bottles for the Talaxian through a dense jungle for two full days. Much as it was imperative to obtain nutritional sources for the crew in any way they could, he didn't want that incident repeated. He had his own mission this time: to examine and obtain enough samples with which to replenish their dwindling supply of pharmaceuticals. And this time there would be a pair of security personnel to accompany them. Let THEM carry Neelix' luggage.

The Doctor entered the transporter room. Apparently Mister Neelix had taken his suggestion to heart: only one bug bottle this time. They'd go easy on the goldshirts, he mused.

"Mister Neelix..." he nodded in greeting.

"Hello, Doctor," said Neelix, with a little wave. "Do we have our security pair yet?"

At that moment, two officers rushed through the door, armed and slightly out of breath. Neelix mouthed "You're late" and winked, stepping up to the transporter platform with the rest of the away team. He nodded at the ensign at the transporter controls, and moments later they were caught in the transporter beam and materialized planetside.

=/\= Torres to Seven of Nine. Meet me in Engineering in 10 minutes. Torres out.=/\=

They had an assignment for her. Finally. She was not accustomed to doing nothing, and being limited to pacing around the Cargobay or monitoring progress on the small, limited console. Not that the other consoles she'd used, on the bridge, for example, had been powerful compared to the computing power and information base the Borg commanded.

Regardless, she shut down the console and strode out the door and immediately noticed something wrong. Her guards were gone. Whether they'd been killed, assigned elsewhere, or had simply forgotten about her, they were gone. She could leave, if she wanted. She could just walk out, sabotage the ship, do anything she wanted and they wouldn't be able to stop her until it was too late. But then what would she do? Be recaptured and locked back up again? Remain stranded on this planet and die or go insane? No, she didn't have a guard because she didn't need one, for now at least, and they knew it. Nonetheless, it didn't stop the apprehensive looks from the crew she passed as she made her way to engineering.

The two-story room was filled almost to capacity it seemed, with humans busily carrying our repairs... without any visible organization. They hurried to and fro, never really seeming to get anything done, scattering out of her way as she approached and throwing apprehensive looks in her direction. It seemed chaotic, disorganised and highly inefficient.

She finally located Lt. Torres over near the warp flow valve. The lieutenant seemed much more involved in a conversation with the ship's chief helmsman than in her work. Here, she surmised, was the source of the current disorder. She strode over.

"You require my assistance, Lieutenant?" she asked.

B'Elanna was a little surprised to hear the cold voice of Seven of Nine, Voyager's resident drone. She turned around to face her.

"Oh, you're here already," she muttered, not trying to hide her dislike for the Borg. "Let's get one thing straight. Assigning you to assist me in Engineering was not my idea; things will go much more smoothly if you keep to your assigned task and keep out of my way. Also, you'll find that it will be impossible for you to sabotage Voyager's systems or to try to contact the Collective without me finding out about it."

B'Elanna stepped even closer to Seven of Nine. "And when I do find out about it, you'll be shipped back to the Cargo Bay before you can blink that artificial eye. Are we understood?" B'Elanna spit out.

She swore she could feel Tom squirming beside her.

"Surely," said Tuvok, "she must know something about this planet and why the Borg avoid it."

"Oh? I'm not so sure about that," said Chakotay, as they entered his office. "The Borg learn only by assimilation. If they haven't assimilated this world, they may only know that it's dangerous."

Chakotay put on his equipment belt and checked the charge on his phaser. "I'm also not sure if we can trust her story," he said. "If the Borg are this close to her she might easily be swayed to rejoin them."

Tuvok raised an eyebrow at the First Officer's reasoning. "It would seem illogical to not attempt to gain as much information from her as possible."

Chakotay holstered his phaser and checked his tricorder.

"It would also give us a chance to ascertain her willingness to be a part of this crew," said Tuvok, pressing his point.

Chakotay did not reply immediately. He holstered his tricorder, crossed his arms, and looked at Tuvok. The Security Chief looked back, impassively.

Finally, Chakotay nodded and looked away. "You're right, Tuvok. Computer, locate Seven of Nine."

=/\= Seven of Nine is in Engineering, =/\=

Chakotay left his office, and Tuvok followed. "Contact your Security team and tell them to stand by in Transporter Room One," said Chakotay. "And tell them to bring expedition packs for the four of us. I want to use every hour of daylight we have."

"Understood," said Tuvok. The turbolift doors opened, and the two senior officers stepped inside.

"Engineering," said Chakotay.

Seven held her ground as the diminutive engineer stalked closer.

"And when I do find out about it, you'll be shipped back to the Cargo Bay before you can blink that artificial eye. Are we understood?" Lt. Torres hissed.

Caught somewhat off guard, not by the hostility, but by the sheer depth of it, she blinked once and cocked her head to one side slightly.

"Understood, Lieutenant," she replied calmly, then hesitated, assessing deployment options. At the present rate, even with her assistance, it would be impossible fore repairs to the propulsion systems and structural integrity to be completed before the crew are affected by the planets apparent natural defence system. Therefore, they would need to attract the attention of an outside party if they were to survive.

"You would currently be best advised to utilise me to repair the communications array. Your current systems are not only damaged but inefficient. I estimate that once repairs are completed and Borg enhancements made, Voyager's communications range would be enhanced by 32.47%."

Tom observed BīElanna and Seven and he could almost feel the tension in the room.

The former Borg drone and the half Klingon didnīt like each other and they didnīt try to hide it either.

It almost seemed like a clash of cultures: a hot-tempered Klingon versus a cold, rational Borg. Tom also noticed other crewmembers looking over to them, whispering. "Time to stop this" he thought to himself.

"Anyway, I believe we should stop talking and start doing something, shouldnīt we?" Tom said and clapped his hands once. "The crew of Voyager is counting on us and we wonīt let them down."

He faced BīElanna.

"So where do we start, Chief Engineer?"

B'Elanna didn't blink as she addressed both Tom and Seven:

"Repairing the communications array is not the ship's top priority. We'll start by working on the warp stream constrictor. Tom, monitor the readings on the aft console while I manually access the controls. Seven of Nine, you monitor the forward console; you are familiar with the specifications, are you not?" she asked the former Borg coolly.

After B'Elanna left the briefing room, Captain Janeway began pacing back and forth restlessly. She was uncharacteristically bored. There was nothing to be done until reports began coming in from the away teams.

"Janeway to the bridge," the captain announced over the comm system. "If I'm needed, I'll be on the holodeck. Janeway out."