"They may be trying to get to the surface via the old shaft.", said Kes. "That's how I got to the surface."
"Very well.", said Janeway, as another blast from the array shook the ground beneath them. "Paris, you and Neelix go with Kes to the shaft. We'll try to find out something at the medical centre."
Paris and the others then went on ahead. As they started to make their way to the medical centre, Tuvok put forward his idea.
"Captain, I believe I now have enough evidence to put forward a reasonable hypothosis. I believe the Caretaker is dying."
"What makes you say that?", asked Chakotay.
"All the evidence points to that conclusion.", Tuvok replied. "His constant references to running out of time. The fact that he has given the Ocampa enough energy to last them five years, and the fact that he is sealing the conduits he uses to give them that energy. This leads me to the conclusion that he no longer intends to carry on with his role of caretaker."
"If that's the case we'd better hurry.", said Janeway, activating her communicator. "Janeway to Voyager. Three to beam up."
There was a short pause before a call came back from the ship.
"We're unable to, Captain. The fire from the array has irradiated the planet's crust. You'll have to get to the surface before we can beam you out!"
Upon hearing this, they headed towards the old shaft.
Meanwhile, Paris, Neelix and Kes had started to climb the stairway that lead to the surface. They soon found Kim and Torres. It appeared that the mystery illness was starting to get the better of them, because they were resting again.
"I wondered when you were going to get here!", a relieved Kim said.
"Hey!", Paris replied. "How could I forget the only friend I've got at the moment!"
While Paris helped Kim to his feet, Neelix and Kes helped Torres. Paris then activated his communicator.
"Paris to Janeway. We've found them!"
"Good work! Continue to the surface. We're right behind you!" Upon orders. they continued on their way.
A few minutes later they came to the end of the stairway, but soon encountered the force field that stopped anyone from getting to the surface. However, there was a small gap, a gap small enough for a person to get through.
"Be careful.", said Kes as they approached the field. "That thing will take your skin clean off!"
One by one, they squeezed past the force-field, missing it by only millimetres. They soon moved into another cavern, and through a small hole Paris could see sunlight.
"Neelix, get out your phaser."
Neelix reached into his tunic and took out the small phaser. He followed Paris' lead and aimed it at the cavern ceiling before they fired in tandem. Rocks fell to the ground as sunlight filled the cavern.
Then, through the hole they had created they reached the surface. Then, they heard a screeching noise. One of the energy blasts from the array was getting near to them.
"Take cover!", Paris cried.
This they did, and the blast landed only metres away. shaking the whole ground around them. Slowing getting to his knees, Paris again activated his communicator.
"Paris to Janeway."
There was no reply.
"Chakotay! Tuvok! Do you read?"
There was no reply from either of them. Paris was worried.
"Paris to Voyager. Beam the away team up!"
"I'm only able to get a lock on five of you. We can't find Captain Janeway and the others."
"Understood.", replied Paris. "I'm going after them!"
"You can't!", Neelix protested. "You'll be killed!"
"We have no other choice!", said Paris.
Neelix knew Paris was right, and smiled. "Oh well! If the fool wants company!"
Paris was glad of the help. He pulled Neelix's communicator off him and gave it to Kes.
"Voyager, lock onto the other com-badge and beam directly to Sickbay!"
While Paris and Neelix went back down into the cavern, Kim, Torres and Kes were beamed aboard Voyager.
In the cavern, the blast from the array had damaged the stairway. Tuvok was stunned, and Chakotay could only hang onto a piece of metal railing that was about to fall. Janeway was the only one not injured in the blast.
"My leg...", said Chakotay. "I think it's broken!"
Moments later, Paris and Neelix arrived. Janeway was more than pleased to see them.
"Neelix! Help me with Tuvok!", Janeway ordered.
"I'll get Chakotay!", said Paris.
As Janeway and Neelix helped Tuvok up the stairway, Paris tried to reach over to Chakotay.
"Don't be a fool!", he said. "You'll get us both killed!"
"On the other hand, I could save you!", Paris replied. "And after that, your life will be mine! That's how you Native Americans work, isn't it?"
"Wrong tribe!"
As Paris placed his foot on the dis-jointed platform, it began to shake. Chakotay was only just able to get his arms around Paris' shoulders. He then began to moved back up the stairway, but found it difficult carrying the extra weight of Chakotay.
"Isn't there some ancient Indian spell where you can turn into a bird and fly us away?"
"You're too heavy!"
Soon after, they were safely away.
With the treaty between the Federation and the Dominion now in place, Starfleet personnel began to make preparations to leave Deep Space Nine. Because of the hand-over to the Dominion's forces, much of the station was now off-limits to Starfleet personnel, especially the docking ring. This did not stop Sisko, however, as he and his allies gathered near one of the corridors.
"Is everything ready?", he asked.
"Yes.", Dax replied. "O'Brien is finishing the final touches aboard the Defiant now."
"Then let's get this over with."
They began to make their way down the corridor towards the airlocks. When they reached an intersection, they saw a Federation guard.
"This is a problem.", said Bashir.
"One which we can handle.", said Sisko.
Following Sisko's lead, they walked down the corridor. The guard called out to them.
"What are you doing here?"
"We're here to make some checks on the Defiant.", said Sisko. "After all, she is coming with us when we pull out,"
"I wasn't notified of this."
"My dear sir!", said Garak. "You appear to have a loose thread on your collar!"
Garak reached up to the guard's collar, who looked down when he saw the Cardassian's hand approaching him. However, he failed to see the hypo-spray in Garak's other hand. Soon the guard was sleeping peacefully on the corridor floor.
"Why Garak, it looks like you've done this sort of thing before!", Bashir remarked.
"I remove threads everyday, Doctor! You should know that by now!"
They continued on their way to the Defiant, but somehow, an alarm had been raised. Perhaps the guard should have checked in soon, Sisko thought. Nevertheless, they soon found several Jem'Hadar warriors on their tail. Phaser fire from these warriors soon followed them down the corridor. Dax and Sisko returned their fire, soon dealing with their opponents.
Their journey to the Defiant was stopped several more times en route, due to intervention by both Federation and Jem'Hadar guards. Garak began to wonder why the Jem'Hadar considered themselves great warriors. They didn't seem that great to him.
However, he soon learnt that he had under-estimated them. Another Jem'Hadar warrior began to chase after them, and started to fire, just missing Garak. Garak returned fire, but he also missed. Next time, the Jem'Hadar warrior was luckier, his phaser blast catching Garak in his mid-section. The warrior could fire no more, as a blast from Bashir's phaser saw to that.
Bashir was worried. In the short time he had known him, Garak had made his time on Deep Space Nine less unbearable. Now it appeared all of that was coming to an end.
"Come on.", said Bashir, trying to life Garak to his feet. "I can treat you in Sickbay once we get to the Defiant!"
Garak winced. The pain was too much, and Bashir knew it.
"That won't be needed, Doctor! I'm afraid I'm going to have to miss our luncheon engagement today!"
"Damn your stubborness, Garak! You're coming with me!"
"I can't! Now go, Doctor! Before you get everyone else killed! I'll only be holding you back!"
Bashir knew he was right. Without saying a word, he followed Dax and Sisko down the corridor. The last thing he saw of Garak was when he was lying on the ground, motionless. Bashir did not know if he was dead or alive. He hoped for the latter.
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